Molano retains CRO Race lead after stage 2 podium

Sebastián Molano retained the leader’s jersey at the CRO Race after sprinting to third place on Stage 2 in Novalja, while UAE Team Emirates-XRG also made an early move in the general classification battle through Tim Wellens.

After his victory on the opening day, Molano was again in the mix at the end of the short and fast 114.5km stage from Biograd na Moru to Novalja, with Carl-Frederik Bévort (Uno-X Mobility) taking the victory ahead of Nicolas Gojković (Pogi Team Gusto Ljubljana).

The day began with Szymon Wiśniewski and Jakob Šlibar establishing the main breakaway. Wiśniewski was particularly active, taking maximum points at the intermediate sprint in Zadar before also leading over the first classified climb at Jovići.

With the race coming back together, UAE Team Emirates-XRG remained attentive to opportunities along the road. Tim Wellens was alert at the intermediate sprint to pick up bonus seconds, an important early gain with the Belgian targeting the general classification this week.

The peloton regrouped ahead of the decisive closing kilometres, but there was little opportunity for the bunch to settle. A succession of attacks followed, with Mihael Štajnar, Matteo Turconi, Axel van der Tuuk and Johannes Kulset among those trying to break clear as the race headed towards Novalja.

Despite the aggression, the bunch remained together and the sprinters’ teams began to take control. Soudal Quick-Step moved to the front with numbers inside the final 11km, before Uno-X Mobility took over in the final approach.

Molano was again well positioned as the sprint opened up, but Bévort proved strongest on the day, coming through to take the victory. Gojković produced a strong finish to claim second, with Molano crossing the line in third to secure another podium and, crucially, retain the red leader’s jersey.

After two days of racing, the Colombian remains at the head of the general classification, giving UAE Team Emirates–XRG a strong start to the six-stage race. Attention will now increasingly turn towards Wellens as the terrain becomes more demanding and the battle for the overall classification begins to take shape.

Sebastián Molano:

“It was another good day for us. Of course after winning yesterday we wanted to try again, but the final was quite hectic with a lot of attacks and fighting for position. I was there in the sprint and third place means we keep the leader’s jersey, so overall we can be happy.

“The team is in a good position. Tim was able to take some bonus seconds today which could be important later in the week, and we have a strong group around us. Tomorrow will be a different kind of stage, so we will recover now and look forward to the next one.”

The CRO Race continues on Thursday with Stage 3 from Krk to Labin, a 174.5km stage which should provide a more significant test for the general classification contenders.

Stage 2 results
1. Carl-Frederik Bévort (Uno-X Mobility) 2:42:08
2. Nicolas Gojković (Pogi Team Gusto Ljubljana) s.t
3. Sebastián Molano (UAE Team Emirates–XRG) s.t