Alleman and Rabensteiner are the winners and Lüthi with Wakefield established their dominance

In a very tight sprint, the Belgian and the Italian have beaten the leaders. In the women’s category, the Swiss and the South African consolidate their leadership.

After the hectic start of yesterday’s stage, the second one began with a totally different vibe. Even though it started in the same spot as yesterday, the Olivo Arena, the first kilometers have been neutralized to ensure safety for all the competitors.

In the first kilometers, the favorite group was tight until the first trails. It was there when the Italian, and the Belgian took the lead and at a fast pace that broke off the head of the race. And they pulled it off, because the head of the race was reduced to just three pairs. The leaders, the stage winners and the Colombian Páez alongside the italian Mensi. The last ones couldn't keep up with the pace of the other two couples that got to the Olivo Arena, to battle for the win in a spectacular sprint. The Belgian and Italian champions arrived first in the last corner and took the victory, even though the leaders have secured another day of wearing the white jersey.

“I started to sprint way too early. There was one kilometer left and I had to slow down my speed. Then I had to sprint again to get the victory. I’m very happy”, assured Alleman after getting the victory.

In the women’s category, the pace was totally different. The neutralized start and the mix of both categories has led to a long range-attack from the leaders, Ariane Lüthi and Amy Wakefield, to start opening the gap towards the Sierra Mágina. Once they were alone, their strategy was to take it easy to get to the finish line without suffering any problem, physical or mechanical. “It wasn’t the starting plan, honestly. After the neutralized start and the confusion there was, we thought… it’s in these situations where we have to attack. If you ride defensively then, then you have to come back later. We’ve seen that the other teams got closer, but in the downhills we took advantage”, said Lüthi after crossing the finish line.

Behind them, Janine Schneider and Irina Luetzelschwab stood in the second step of the podium. Constanza Fasolis and Claudia Peretti completed it.

STAGE STANDINGS - MEN’S CATEGORY

Wout Alleman - Fabien Rabensteiner WILIER-PIRELLI FACTORY TEAM MX 02:52:13

Andreas Seewald - Martin Stosek CANYON NORTHWAVE MTB TEAM 02:52:14

Leonardo Páez - Daniele Mensi SOUDAL LEECOUGAN 02:52:30

OVERALL STANDINGS - MEN’S CATEGORY

Andreas Seewald - Martin Stosek CANYON NORTHWAVE MTB TEAM 05:35:35

Wout Alleman - Fabien Rabensteiner WILIER-PIRELLI FACTORY TEAM MX 05:37:14

Hans Becking - José Dias BUFF Megamo MTB TEAM 05:41:02

STAGE STANDINGS - WOMEN’S CATEGORY

Amy Wakefield - Ariane Lüthi Symbtech / Pump for Peace 03:42:24

Irina Lützelschwab - Janine Schneider Team BULLS / doc.oliday.com 03:47:33