Lukas Rüegg after hard battle on second stage at Tour of Istanbul UCI 2.2 still third of the tour – despite painful failures

 

Was this a battle yesterday on the first stage, but a thoroughly successful one. This should continue today fair on the roads around Istanbul. Start and finish in the tourism city Sile over 135 kilometers and 2300 meters of altitude. The declared team leader now Lukas Rüegg, before the stage in third place. Two seconds to second place, the Belgian Gianni Marchand (Tarteletto-Isorex).

 

Vermeulen and Amann out with stomach problems – Stüssi’s solo chase!

Again the start in rain and slippery roads. At the first climb Dominik Amann has to let go, shortly after Moran Vermeulen, who both already had stomach problems at the start. They have to finish the race like some others in the field for this reason. Very sad, because they will be missed until Sunday.

 

Then bad luck for Lukas Rüegg. He suffers defect in the decisive phase of the race. At this moment the second placed Gianni Marchand makes off with some others. The field is informed about a few minutes behind.

Now Colin Stüssi is stretching out in front of the peloton. The Swiss rider makes up the entire gap (!!) within 25 kilometers and thus also secures the overall classification.

 

Lukas Rüegg is still one second behind in second place in the overall standings.

Six escapees make it through. Behind them Lukas Rüegg finishes with the overall best in twelfth place. He makes up one second on Marchand, and is still one second behind the Belgian in third.  Planned for today reached despite the failures of Amann and Vermeulen. Meiler and Knolle follow in the elimination race in 26th and 29th place.

Stage winner today was the Dane Daniel Stampe (Team Suri).

 

Lukas Meiler is now second overall in the mountain classification. The team in third place in the team classification, the same as Lukas Rüegg in the points classification.

 

The third stage tomorrow with start and finish in Beykoz near the Bosporus is again quite short with 132 kilometers, but with some climbs. First of all get everyone fit at the start, then use the chances for the attack to the front. Hop on guys!

 

Stage overview:

28.09. Stage 1 Amavutköv – Amavutköv 176,7 km

29.09. Stage 2 Sile – Sile 134,9 Km

30.09. Stage 3 Beykoz – Beykoz 132 Km

01.10. Stage 4 Sultanhamet – Sultanhamet 92,9 Km

 

Result: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/tour-of-istanbul/2023/stage-2

Race info: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/tour-of-istanbul/2023