There is Paul Magnier... and for everyone else there isn't. The Soudal Quick-Step Frenchman delivers a masterclass performance and claims victory in the second stage of the Tour de Slovaquie, the Levoča - Liptovský Mikuláš route covering 186.8 km. Magnier got the better of young Italian Thomas Capra, while Polish rider Simon Vanicek rounded out the podium in third place. Matteo Milan finished in seventh place and Giacomo Villa in tenth.

Naturally, Magnier retains and strengthens his yellow jersey as the race leader.

THE RACE. The stage was characterized by the long breakaway initiated by Swedish rider Carl Kagevi of Lucky Sport Cycling Team, Swiss rider Nicola Zumsteg of Biesse Carrera Premac, and Czech rider Marin Barta of ATT Investment, to which were added Czech Milan Kadlec of Kasper Cripto4me, Polish rider Konrad Czabok of Voster Team, and Hungarian rider Zsombor Palumby of Team United Shipping.
Unfortunately, Zumsteg, Kadlec, and Czabok were involved in a crash that led to the withdrawal of the Swiss rider from Biesse, while the other three attackers continued their effort but when Soudal Quick-Step and Groupama FDJ United took control of the race, the breakaway riders had no chance.

STAGE RESULTS

1. Magnier Paul (Soudal Quick-Step) in 04:40:21
2. Capra Thomas (Bahrain Victorious Development Team)
3. Vanicek Simon (ATT Investments)
4. Biermans Jenthe (Cofidis)
5. Neuman Dominik (ATT Investments)
6. Ilski Szymon (Voster Team)
7. Milan Matteo (Groupama-FDJ United)
8. Verhoeff Stefan (Universe Cycling Team)
9. Granberg Sander (Team Drali-Repsol)
10. Villa Giacomo (Biesse-Carrera Premac)