A great second stage for the BCN Tour. Wednesday in Savagnier, many athletes let out a loud cry of relief, even a few swear words, once they crossed the finish line. Indeed, this round has put the organizations to the test.
The organizers had planned a route of 11.5 km with an elevation gain of 330 meters. But it is especially the second half of the stage, ultra hilly, which has reserved its share of difficulties. What “break some legs”. Even though the race was disputed under a radiant sun, the wind came to play the spoilsports to add even more spice.
In this little game, it was Gabriel Sintes who won. The citizen of Rochefort swallowed the course in 42’01” relegating Arthur Chuat de Hauterive to 34” and the yellow jersey Julien Fleury to 55”. Le Chaux-de-Fonnier couldn’t contain his disappointment once he crossed the finish line. Indeed, he abandons his tunic to Gabriel Sintes who obtains a nice 42-second lead in the general standings after this Vaudruzian round.
Nathalie Geiser, obviously
Among the ladies, Nathalie Geiser, surprisingly easy, got the better of her competitors. The Neuchâteloise who had already won during the first route in Marin, gave it to Savagnier. She won the race in 49’46” with a lead of 41” over La Chaux-de-Fonnière Romane Gauthier and 2’14” over Fribourg’s Marion Monney. Unsurprisingly, Nathalie Geiser increased her overall lead over Romane Gauthier with a gap that now fell to 1’44”.
Next stage for the runners of the BCN Tour, next Wednesday at Landeron with a course of 11.3 km and a drop of 210 meters which is more lenient for the calves. /jha