Just two days after turning 21, Markel Beloki celebrates his maiden victory in professional racing during the second stage of the Tour de l'Ain (he had previously won at the Tour Alsace, a 2.2 category event) and delivers the second consecutive success for EF Education - EasyPost following yesterday's triumph by Noah Hobbs. The Spanish rider completed the 162 kilometres on the schedule, crossing the line 55 seconds ahead of a small group led by Noa Isidore of Decathlon CMA CGM Team, with Nicola Conci of XDS Astana rounding out the day's podium.

Today's solo victory at the Lagnieu finish line allows the young rider to also take the overall classification lead with 51 seconds over Axel Mariault (CIC Pro Cycling Academy) and 54 seconds ahead of Noa Isidore (Decathlon CMA CGM Team).

THE RACE - Characterized by a flat opening section followed by a challenging final circuit featuring the  Col de Portes to be climbed twice, today's stage saw attacks from Frenchmen Jason Tesson (TotalEnergies), Thomas Gachignard (TotalEnergies)  and Maximilien Juillard (Vélo Club Villefranche Beaujolais) alongside Belgian Kenny Molly (Van Rysel Roubaix) and South African Morné Van Niekerk (St Michel - Preference Home - Auber93).

At the first passage over the day's climb, Juillard crested the summit ahead of all others, while approximately thirty-five kilometres from the finish, Gachignard remained alone in the lead.

The 25-year-old native of Niort's attempt was also neutralized. During the second ascent of the Col de Portes, the peloton whittled down and approximately ten riders remained at the front, including Nicola Conci (XDS Astana Team), Henrique Bravo (Soudal Quick-Step), Jose Said Cisneros (Soudal Quick-Step), Rémi Arsac (Decathlon CMA CGM),  Jamie Meehan (Cofidis), Axel Mariault (CIC Pro Cycling), Huw Buck Jones (Bourg-en-Bresse Ain Cyclisme), Jefferson Alexander Cepeda (EF Education – EasyPost) and   Markel Beloki (EF Education – EasyPost).

The Spanish rider of noble descent, clearly in sparkling form today, attempted a couple of accelerations before launching his decisive attack with eight kilometres remaining to the finish line, where he crossed with his arms raised to the sky. Tomorrow the Tour de l'Ain concludes with the third stage: 131 demanding kilometres between Oyonnax and Lélex Monts-Jura.