Nicolas Prodhomme continues his golden season and stamps his mark on the second stage of the Tour de l'Ain, the Saint-Vulbas - Lélex Monts-Jura of 153.1 km. The Decathlon AG2R rider has literally exploded this season, collecting all five of his professional victories: after a stage of TOTA, one from the Giro d'Italia, one from the Route Occitanie with the overall classification, he won today by beating Belgian Cian Uijtdebroeks from Visma Lease a Bike in a two-man sprint.

It was Uijtdebroeks himself who attacked 27 kilometers from the finish. Initially, Prodhomme and Brambilla responded, but a new acceleration by the Belgian three kilometers further ahead caused the Italian to definitively surrender and set the stage for a splendid two-man action.

In the sprint, which Prodhomme took the lead, there was no contest, and soon Uijtdebroeks bowed his head, yielding to the 28-year-old Frenchman who gave his team the second victory of the day. Jamie Meehan from Cofidis completed the podium. There was also some Italian presence in the top ten: eighth place for Gianluca Brambilla in the chasing group, while Andrea Vendrame finished tenth.

Tomorrow the third and final stage is scheduled, the Plateau d'Hauteville Belley, with the Col de Richemond, Col de la Biche, and Col du Grand Colombier in just 130 km.

FINISH ORDER

1. Prodhomme Nicolas (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team) in 03:56:55
2. Uijtdebroeks Cian (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) + 02
3. Meehan Jamie (Cofidis) + 53
4. Tulett Ben (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
5. Rouland Louis (Arkea B&B Hotels)
6. Moniquet Sylvain (Cofidis)
7. Bouchard Geoffrey (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team)
8. Brambilla Gianluca (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team)
9. Graat Tijmen (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) + 56
10. Vendrame Andrea (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team) + 02:03