French cyclist Victor Lafay secured his maiden triumph at the Tour de France, marking a significant achievement for his team, Cofidis, as it had been thirteen years since their last victory in 2008.
Lafay demonstrated impeccable timing during the second stage of the Tour de France, outperforming his rivals to seize the win. The 208.9-kilometer stage concluded in San Sebastian, where Belgian cyclist Wout van Aert seemed poised to take the victory. However, Lafay launched a powerful surge with only 900 meters remaining, leaving Van Aert frustrated and unable to close the gap.
Adam Yates from Britain successfully defended his position as the race leader and maintained the coveted yellow jersey. His twin brother, Simon Yates, stood alongside him in joint-second place. Both brothers were trailed by Tadej Pogacar, a two-time winner of the Tour de France and Adam Yates’ teammate, who shared the same time difference of six seconds.
The second stage witnessed Pogacar gain valuable bonus seconds over his competitors in the general classification by being the first to reach the summit of Jaizkibel, the final climb of the day. This stage, the longest of the current Tour, burst into excitement at that point, with Pogacar triumphing over last year’s champion, Jonas Vingegaard, in a sprint to the top.
Despite their efforts, neither Pogacar nor Vingegaard attempted to maintain their lead on the descent. Instead, it seemed that Van Aert would be skillfully guided to a sprint finish by his Jumbo Visma teammates. They skillfully fended off several attacks, including one by Tom Pidcock from Britain. However, Lafay’s late surge proved to be unstoppable, allowing him to break away and confidently cross the finish line ahead of Van Aert.
Pogacar secured more bonus seconds by finishing third, while Pidcock claimed fourth place. Reflecting on the challenging day, Adam Yates commented on the stressful conditions faced by the peloton, including wet roads, roundabouts, and road furniture. Despite these obstacles, the team persevered and successfully controlled the race. Adam expressed satisfaction with their strategic efforts, aiming to set up Pogacar for bonus seconds. Ultimately, their cohesive teamwork paid off, allowing them to retain the yellow jersey.
Lafay’s triumph at the Tour de France not only marked his first-ever victory in the event but also ended Cofidis’ 15-year drought at their home race since their previous success in 2008.
Looking ahead, the race will depart from Spain and continue into France for the third stage, covering a 187.54-kilometer route from Amorebieta-Etxano to Bayonne. This stage presents an excellent opportunity for Mark Cavendish to contend for a record-breaking 35th stage win at the Tour de France, surpassing the legendary Eddy Merckx.
Stage Two Results:
- Victor Lafay (Fra/Cofidis) – 4hrs 46mins 39secs
- Wout van Aert (Bel/Jumbo-Visma) – Same time
- Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates)
- Tom Pidcock (GB/INEOS Grenadiers)
- Pello Bilbao (Spa/Bahrain Victorious)
- Michael Woods (Can/Israel-Premier Tech)
- Romain Bardet (Fra/Team DSM-Firmenich)
- Dylan Teuns (Bel/Israel-Premier Tech)
- Jai Hindley (Aus/Bora-Hansgrohe)
- Steff Cras (Bel/TotalEnergies)
General Classification After Stage Two:
- Adam Yates (GB/UAE Team Emirates) – 9hrs 9mins 18secs
- Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates) – +6secs
- Simon Yates (GB/Team Jayco-AlUla) – Same time
- Victor Lafay (Fra/Cofidis) – +12secs
- Wout van Aert (Bel/Jumbo-Visma) – +16secs
- Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Jumbo-Visma) – +17secs
- Michael Woods (Can/Israel-Premier Tech) – +22secs
- Jai Hindley (Aus/Bora-Hansgrohe) – Same time
- Mikel Landa (Spa/Bahrain Victorious)
- Carlos Rodriguez Cano (Spa/Ineos Grenadiers)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Tour de France stage win
Q: Who won stage two of the Tour de France?
A: Victor Lafay, a French cyclist, won stage two of the Tour de France.
Q: How long was stage two of the Tour de France?
A: Stage two of the Tour de France was 208.9 kilometers long.
Q: Did Adam Yates retain the yellow jersey after stage two?
A: Yes, Adam Yates, a British cyclist, retained the yellow jersey after stage two.
Q: When was the last time Cofidis won a stage at the Tour de France?
A: Cofidis, the French team, last won a stage at the Tour de France in 2008, making Victor Lafay’s victory in stage two a significant achievement for the team.
Q: Who is the current leader in the general classification?
A: Adam Yates from UAE Team Emirates is the current leader in the general classification after stage two.
Q: Where does the Tour de France go after leaving Spain in stage three?
A: After leaving Spain, the Tour de France heads to France for stage three, which covers a route from Amorebieta-Etxano to Bayonne.
Q: Who holds the record for the most stage wins in Tour de France history?
A: Mark Cavendish is chasing the record for the most stage wins in Tour de France history, currently held by Eddy Merckx. Cavendish aims to secure his 35th stage win in this year’s Tour.
More about Tour de France stage win
- Tour de France Official Website
- Victor Lafay Profile
- Adam Yates Profile
- Cofidis Team Profile
- Wout van Aert Profile
- Tadej Pogacar Profile
5 comments
Lafay’s victory is a much-needed boost for Cofidis! It’s been a long time since they tasted success at the Tour de France. Adam Yates showing great form, hoping he keeps that yellow jersey till the end. Let’s go!
wow, Lafay won his first Tour de France stage! amazing! kudos to Cofidis for breaking their dry spell since 2008!
Pogacar showing his strength by claiming bonus seconds! Can’t wait to see what happens in the next stage as the race moves to France. Cavendish chasing the record, it’s going to be thrilling!
Lafay’s late surge was insane, he left Van Aert in the dust! What a day full of drama and excitement. Can’t wait to see how the rest of the Tour unfolds. Go Yates!
Lafay’s attack was perfectly timed, leaving Van Aert in frustration! Great to see Adam Yates holding onto the yellow jersey, what a race!