An attack at just the right moment, Lennart Jasch claimed the second stage of the Abruzzo Tour from Popoli Terme to Caramanico Terme. The Tudor team rider first entered the winning trio that formed 16 kilometers from the finish line and then, just before passing under the flamme Rouge, he delivered the decisive move, surprising his breakaway companions. Second place went to Dorrian Godon (Netcompany Ineos), third Matteo Scalco (XDS Astana). Alessandro Fancellu failed to make the top ten but maintains the leader's jersey by just 4 seconds.

THE RACE Another day of ups and downs at the Abruzzo Tour; for the second stage the peloton rode from Popoli Terme to Caramanico Terme for a total of 143 kilometers. A lively stage and anything but simple, characterized by 2,500 meters of elevation gain, the Forcella di Acciano climb in the early kilometers and the Scagnano ascent in the final section.

The day's breakaway formed after 15 kilometers and featured 5 athletes: Txomin Juaristi (Euskaltel Euskadi), Tommaso Bosio (General Storre Essegibi F.li Curia), Alvaro Garcia (NSN Development Team), Adrian Benito (Team Polti Visit Malta), and Emanuele Ansaloni (Team Technipes #inEmiliaRomagna Caffè Borbone). On several occasions the peloton visibly closed in on the breakaway riders, who however managed to pace themselves well and maintain a maximum advantage of 3'00" with 40 kilometers remaining.

The breakaway's efforts became increasingly powerful and facing the risk of losing control, the Netcompany Ineos, XDS Astana, and Ukyo teams intervened to support the MBH Bank team of leader Fancellu. A powerful effort by these teams that in just a few kilometers brought the peloton back to the breakaway riders right on the Scagnano climb 16 kilometers from the finish.

The race heated up on the slopes toward the climb; Matteo Scalco (Team XDS Astana) was the first to make a move, taking with him Lennart Jasch (Team Tudor) and Mattia Bais (Team Polti Visit Malta). The peloton tried to contain the attack of the three riders who had managed to gain up to 20 seconds; the German from Team Tudor sensed the proximity of the group and anticipated his move, attacking just before the final kilometer. A perfect and decisive action for Jasch who managed to drop everyone and win his second professional race.

Dorian Godon, among the day's great favorites, had to settle for winning the group sprint ahead of Matteo Scalco. Plenty of Italians in the top ten with Tommaso Dati and Nicolò Garibbo (Team Ukyo) in fourth and fifth position, Ludovico Crescioli (Polti Visit Malta) sixth, Riccardo Lorello (S.C Padovani Polo Cherry Bank) seventh, Giacomo Ballabio (Team Vorarlberg) eighth, and Riccardo Barbuto (Team Technipes #inEmiliaRomagna) ninth. Sixteenth position for Alessandro Fancellu (MBH Bank) who retains first place in the general classification by just 4 seconds over Jasch. Tomorrow he will start with the leader's jersey to tackle the third stage from Oricola to San Benedetto dei Marsi, 159 kilometers that should be fairly straightforward and conclude with a bunch sprint finish.

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STAGE RESULTS

1  Jasch Lennart Tudor Pro Cycling Team 03:36:26

2  Godon Dorian Netcompany INEOS Cycling Team + 09

3  Scalco Matteo XDS Astana Development Team + 09

4  Dati Tommaso Team UKYO + 09

5  Garibbo Nicolo Team UKYO + 09

6  Crescioli Ludovico Team Polti VisitMalta + 09

7  Lorello Riccardo SC Padovani Polo Cherry Bank + 09

8  Ballabio Giacomo Team Vorarlberg + 09

9  Barbuto Riccardo Team Technipes #inEmiliaRomagna Caffè Borbone + 09

10 Berasategi Xabier Euskaltel-Euskadi + 09

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1  Fancellu Alessandro MBH Bank Ballan Telecom Fort 07:27:49

2  Jasch Lennart Tudor Pro Cycling Team + 04

3  Rondel Mathys Tudor Pro Cycling Team + 06

4  Ulissi Diego XDS Astana Development Team + 08

5  Garibbo Nicolo Team UKYO + 12

6  Crescioli Ludovico Team Polti VisitMalta + 12

7  Vauquelin Kévin Netcompany INEOS Cycling Team + 12

8  Conci Nicola XDS Astana Development Team + 12

9  Godon Dorian Netcompany INEOS Cycling Team + 17

10 Pozzovivo Domenico Solution Tech-NIPPO-Rali + 18