The second stage of the Tour de l'Avenir went from Quiberon to Saint-Jean-la-Poterie and had
a length of 164.5 km.
After 5 kilometres Thomas Kvist (DEN) and Evaldas Siskevicius (LTU) attacked. The two
riders enjoy a maximum 1’50 lead. In Grand Champ Kvist claims the most points at the first intermediate sprint, ahead
of Siskevicius before the two escapees are caught back by a group of five riders including overall leader Stéphane Poulhiès.
This group is eventually caught by the bunch after 68 kilometres. At the top of the Côte de Cadoudal, Maciej Paterski
(POL) makes it first ahead of Marcel Wyss (SUI), Adrian Honkisz (POL) and Andrey Klyuev (RUS).
After the
riders passed the feeding zone, Kasper Jebjerg (DEN) and Marco Coledan (ITA) attacked. They gradually increase their
advantage and on the second intermediate sprint line at Saint-Congard Jebjerg claims the three points ahead of Coledan
while the bunch led by Milan (SPA) remains over 2’ adrift. At the top of the Mont Hersé (km 104), both men have
a two minute lead.
Progressively the bunch increases its pace. The French squad taking care of the chase moves closer as
the escapees only have a lead of 1 minute left. But the front riders insist and reach the intermediate sprint at Allaire with
a 1’40 lead over thebunch. In the climb up the Côte de Saint-Jean-la-Poterie, Herbert Pudans (LAT), Eric Boily (CAN)
and Yoann Offredo (FRB) take off in a counter-attack. They remain 1’30 behind Coledan and Jebjerg while the pack is
2’ behind.
Moving closer to the second passage on the line, the counter-attackers are caugt by the bunch
that still has a 1’45 deficit on the line. The climbers points are awarded to Coledan, Jebjerg, Mendez (por) and Coppel
(fra).
At the start of the third lap of the final circuit, the pack breaks up into several groups. With 20 kilometres
to go, the gap drops down to 40’’. At the bottom of the penultimate climb Jebjerg is caught back while Coledan
carries on alone. But once at the top, the Italian is caught as well. Attacks are then ever present as a group of seven riders
led by the winner of the 2006 Baby Giro, Dario Cataldo enjoys a 20” lead over the pack. Most of these men are caught
back one after the other in the final moments of the race. In the last climb to the line, Cataldo continues his effort and
claims stage victory. He captures the point’s green jersey while his compatriot Coledan takes control of the polka dot
jersey. Stéphane Poulhiès finishing in the main field keeps the yellow jersey.
Stage winner Dario Cataldo said after the race: "I was supposed to be at the Tour de Pologne this week, but
I insisted to come here because the Tour de l’Avenir is really great race. And obviously, it was a good idea: one stage
victory, and the green jersey! Even better than the Baby Giro."
