The second stage of the Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol, the Torrox-Otura of 138.6km, bears the signature of Ivan Romeo who, thanks to an excellently executed attack two kilometers from the finish, imposed himself in front of Andreas Leknessund with whom, in the early stages of the stage, he had managed to break away.

For the Iberian champion of Movistar, this is his fourth professional victory, and he also takes the yellow jersey as the general classification leader, now commanding with 7 seconds over Leknessund and 54" over the British rider from Pinarello-Q36.5 Fred Wright.

THE RACE

Numerous attacks and counterattacks in the very early stages of the race lead to the breakaway of Haimar Exteberria (Red Bull - BORA -Hansgrohe), Giosuè Epis and Edison Callejas (Petrolike), Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Michiel Lambrecht (Team Fladers Baloise), Gari Ugarte (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Javier Ibáñez (Caja Rural - Seguros RGA), Iker Gomez (Equipo Kern Pharma) and Josh Burnett (Burgos Burpellet BH). However, the group does not give them space and, after maintaining a short distance, about six kilometers before the endless Puerto de la Cabra climb (25 kilometers at 4.6% average gradient), inexorably neutralizes their attempt.

On the slopes of the first-category GPM, an active Burnett tries again in the company of Andreas Leknessund (Uno X Mobility) and Ivan Romeo (Movistar) who, lending him support, ensure that the action gains more than two minutes of advantage. Behind, meanwhile, the big names are not idle as Tim Wllens (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5) whip the peloton, which however, after the Belgian and British rider's push subsides, regroups shortly after the climb.

Matteo Vercher (TotalEnergies) then tries to take advantage of the slowdown, launching himself solo in pursuit of the trio at the front. But after eleven kilometers, not achieving significant results, the Frenchman desists from his action and is quickly reabsorbed by the group.

With the breakaway strong at 2 minutes and 45 seconds margin, the UAE Team Emirates-XRG takes the lead of the group to orchestrate the chase while ahead the three attackers proceed smoothly towards the Agròn climb where, 37 kilometers from the finish, Burnett loses contact. Despite fewer resources, the attempt by the Spanish and Norwegian national champions continues undeterred and, thanks to excellent cooperation between the two, they arrive with 1'40" advantage at the foot of the second and final GPM of the day, the Alto de la Malahá.

Here, although the Pinarello-Q36.5 gives its all to close the gap, the leading pair continues to pedal effectively and, at the top, brilliantly manages to maintain over 1'20" margin. This gap, despite the last 8 kilometers being slightly uphill, allows them to contest the stage victory in a finale where Romeo's attack at 2000 meters from the line proves decisive.

The powerful and determined acceleration of the 2003 Movistar rider indeed surprises Leknessund, who after trying with all his might to close the gap, raises the white flag, allowing the young Iberian to celebrate with raised arms. Behind him, the commendable Scandinavian crosses the finish line 7 seconds later, while the group, having neutralized the attacks of Aleksandr Vlasov (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) and Alex Aranburu three kilometers from the conclusion, is led by the same Cofidis Spaniard who, ahead of Jan Christen (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), Ivan Cobo (Equipo Kern Pharma) and our Alessandro Fancellu (MBH Bank-CSB Telecom-Fort), completes the day's podium.

FINISH ORDER

1. Iván Romeo (SPA/Movistar) - 3:27:12

2. Andreas Leknessund (NOR/Uno-X Mobility) at 0:07

3. Alex Aranburu (SPA/Cofidis) at 0:54

4. Jan Christen (SVI/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) at 0:54

5. Iván Cobo (SPA/Equipo Kern Pharma) at 0:54

6. Alessandro Fancellu (ITA/MBH Bank-CSB Telecom-Fort) at 0:54

7. Aleksandr Vlasov (RUS/Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) at 0:54

8. Adrien Boichis (FRA/ Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) at 0:54

9. Tim Wellens (BEL/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) at 0:54

10. Romain Grégoire (FRA/Groupama-FDJ United) at 0:54

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1. Iván Romeo (SPA/Movistar) - 7:01:51

2. Andreas Leknessund (NOR/Uno-X Mobility) at 0:07

3. Fred Wright (GBR/Pinarello-Q36.5) at 0:54

4. Bastien Tronchon (FRA/Groupama-FDJ United) at 0:54

5. Alex Aranburu (SPA/Cofidis) at 0:54

6. Christophe Laporte (FRA/Visma-Lease a Bike) at 0:54

7. Aleksandr Vlasov (RUS/Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) at 0:54

8. Alessandro Fancellu (ITA/MBH Bank-CSB Telecom-Fort) at 0:54

9. Jon Barrenetxea (SPA/Movistar) at 0:54

10. Adrien Boichis (FRA/Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) at 0:54