The second stage from Bruntál saw a change in the yellow jersey wearer on the Peace Race U23 Grand Prix Jeseník with the finish at the Dlouhé stráně pumping station. After 116 kilometres it was the young Italian, Filippo Zana, who crossed the line first by almost a minute, replacing Soren Warenskjold at the head of the overall classification. Of the Czech riders, Mathias Vacek did an excellent job to finish seventh and hold sixth place in the overall classification.
Although the stage was relatively short, it had three hill climb bonuses, incl. two climbs up Dlouhé stráně and thus provides a good idea of who among the riders can think of a good overall placing in the Nations Cup event.
From the start, the Spanish cyclists in particular were active, and made frequent break away attempts. Garcia, Lakzano, and especially Mayo Pelayo Sanchez appeared among them. He won the penultimate climb bonus with a two-minute lead, ahead of Petr Kelemen, but in the end none of them finished in the top fifty. However, Kelemen thus won the jersey for the leading rider of the hill-climb competition.
The stage was decided during the final twenty kilometres and the second climb on Dlouhé stráně. The leading group chased down Sanchez, and the recognised climbers then took charge. The Czech riders all stayed at the front for a long time, and Jakub Bouček tried to make a break. However, Filippo Zana of Italy quickly became the sole leader and with seeming ease he pulled away from the other riders. Slovenian Kristjan Hočevar followed him, but he did not have the strength to catch up. On the other hand, Belgian Toon Clynhens caught up with Hočevar, and in the final sprint managed to push his Slovenian opponent into third place.
Mathias Vacek, still a junior last season, kept up with the best of our riders, and in the end his performance was crowned with seventh place, and saw him move into the top ten of the overall classification. "We knew it would be very difficult today. Therefore, we did not even attempt to go with the break aways, it was clear that the stage would be decided on the two final hills. I'm extremely satisfied, I didn't even expect it to go so well. Today I gave everything; we still have another very difficult stage tomorrow, but saving something for it was impossible," said Mathias Vacek.
Petr Kelemen was also satisfied. "I wanted to try and win the jersey for the leading climber, and I succeeded. At the end it was all about legs, but the two half-hour climbs were already too much for me." The Czech national team coach, Tomáš Konečný, also had words of praise for his charges. "I am naturally satisfied. We have a very young team here and the boys have shown their strength. They attacked and improved a lot in the overall standings. I think it was a great performance from them."
Results:
Stage 2: Bruntál – Dlouhé stráně (116.6 km):
1. Zana (ITA) 3:14:56, 2. Clynhens (BEL), 3. Hočevar (SLO) oba +53, 4. Klückers (LUX) +1:09, 5. Vögli (SUI) +1:21, 6. Lebreton (FRA) +1:36, 7. M. Vacek +1:38, ...21. Bouček +4:09, 22. Řepa +4:17, 29. J. Ťoupalík +5:11, 35. Petr Kelemen 5:59, 37. Bittner (all CZE) +6:26.
Overall classification:
1. Zana 6:34:40, 2. Hočevar +1:10, 3. Clynhens +1:12, 4. Klückers +1:19, 5. Bögli +1:46, 6. M. Vacek +1:48, ...20. Bouček +4:28, 28. J. Ťoupalík +5:23, 34. Petr Kelemen +6:12, 35. Bittner +6:28, 45. Řepa +9:21.
