Stage 2: Early Win for Italy
Jonathan MilanA crash in the pack around 3.4km to go thinned out the final bunch sprint, opening the way to a gutsy win for Jonathan Milan (Bahrain Victorious). The course included a few salutary low climbs, but was a largely flat expanse designed to wear down the riders before a sprinter’s finish. The low-profile twenty-two year old Italian rider was no one’s pick to win, but a powerful kick in the closing meters proved too much for rivals in the reduced bunch.
Stage 2David Dekker (Team Arkea-Samsic) and Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) took second and third place, respectively. Many of the bigger names in the bunch were delayed by the crash, which took place at a pinch point, slowing down the pack. Mads Pederson, Fernando Gaviria, and Mark Cavendish were all name sprinters that never got up to speed as a result.
Initial reports indicate that the cause of the pile-up originated from within the pack, rather than from a spectator.
Because the crash took place outside the 3km mark, the slowdown produced significant time losses among the GC contenders, including around a 20-second time loss for Tao Geoghan Hart (Ineos-Grenadiers).
After Stage 2, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) holds onto the pink jersey as well as the white best young rider jersey. Stage winner Jonathan Milan assumes the purple sprinter’s jersey. Paul Lapeira (AG2R Citroen) wears the blue climber’s jersey.
Brandon McNultyAmerican Brandon McNulty (UAE) is the highest-ranked of his countrymen at 9th overall. The former Arizona native has made his name in the highest ranks of pro cycling as a ferocious mountains lieutenant for worldbeater Tadej Pogacar. With Pogacar not in the mix for the 2023 Giro d’Italia, the American’s racing mandate is less clear. Who is the GC man for UAE? Between McNulty, João Almeida, and Jay Vine, it’s an embarrassment of riches.
The Australian wins with strong legs and smart team tactics.