Itzulia Basque Country: McNulty 3rd and Pogačar 4th in the overall standings

Tadej Pogačar finished third on the 2nd stage of the Itzulia Basque Country (Zalla-Sestao, 154.8 km), a result that bumps the UAE Team Emirates rider to 4th place in the general classification, 24 “ behind the leader Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) and 18 ”from teammate Brandon McNulty, currently 3rd and leader of the young riders classification.

Stage success went to Alex Aranburu (Astana-Premier Tech), who attacked the leading group with 10 km to the finish. The Basque rider was able to hold-off the others on the final climb (800 meters at 7.4%) with his teammate Omar Fraile arriving 2nd and Tadej Pogačar coming in 3rd at 15’’ from the winner.

The duo from UAE Team Emirates tried to animate the race on the ascent de la Asturiana (cresting at 16 km from the finish): first Pogačar, then McNulty tried to attack, without being given too much leeway by the peloton.

 
Pogačar: “Today was a hard day on the bike. The conditions were tough so we focussed on keeping ourselves warm and keeping a good position in the bunch. We started the last climb in a good position and myself and McNulty tried to get away. In the end Hirschi put me in the right place for the sprint and we were able to take some bonus seconds on the line.”

On the 3rd stage, the riders will tackle the 167.7 km from Amurrio to Ermualde, finishing at the top of an ascent of 3.1 km at 10.2% average gradient.

 
Stage 2 results:
1. Alex Aranburu (Astana-Premier Tech) 3h45’32”
2. Omar Fraile (Astana-Premier Tech) +15″
3. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) s.t.

 
General classification after the 2nd stage:
1. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) 4h03’04”
2. Alex Aranburu (Astana-Premier Tech) +5″
3. Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) +6″
4. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) +24″