Highlights
Report
After missing out on the win with a second-place finish on Stage 1, Sonny Colbrelli showed his strength by getting over the final climb and sprinted to victory.
The second stage started in La Neuveville, taking on 3,435m over six categorised climbs, finishing in Saint-Imier across 165.7 kilometres. An early breakaway formed, including Pernsteiner and five other riders who managed to take a gap of nearly three minutes.
With 20 kilometres remaining, the group were all brought back together. Pernsteiner was able to hold on after being in the breakaway to work for Sonny. The team worked together with our GC riders Jack Haig and Damiano Caruso, leading Sonny out in the last km with him sprinting for the win and moving into the green jersey.
Sonny Colbrelli was delighted with his win: “I’m very happy, yesterday I was second and very close. Today it was a super team and a super lead out with Jack and Damiano and a super sprint. I’m very happy!”
Rolf Aldag was pleased with the result and the teamwork “After yesterday Sonny had the legs to win but was really close, so to build on that was the goal for today. It was really great to see the combination of a fast guy like Sonny and the GC guys (Jack and Damiano). We strategically put Pernsteiner in the breakaway, so we didn’t have to work. The mental strength of Pernsteiner was incredible to come back and work in the final. It was great to see. It shows the team spirit and how everyone is willing to work for each other to succeed. Today we got the reward, and I’m happy for Sonny, who worked so hard, and I’m proud of what the guys have done.”
Results
Stage
| 1 | Sonny Colbrelli (Ita) Bahrain Victorious | 4:21:42 |
| 2 | Patrick Bevin (NZl) Israel Start-up Nation | |
| 3 | Marc Hirschi (Swi) UAE Team Emirates | |
| 4 | Clément Champoussin (Fra) AG2R Citroën Team | |
| 5 | Diego Ulissi (Ita) UAE Team Emirates | |
| 6 | Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Bora-Hansgrohe | |
| 7 | Ilan Van Wilder (Bel) Team DSM | |
| 8 | Fausto Masnada (Ita) Deceuninck-QuickStep | |
| 9 | Rui Costa (Por) UAE Team Emirates | |
| 10 | Marc Soler (Spa) Movistar Team |
General Classification
| 1 | Rohan Dennis (Aus) Ineos Grenadiers | 8:39:48 |
| 2 | Patrick Bevin (NZl) Israel Start-up Nation | 0:00:08 |
| 3 | Geraint Thomas (GBr) Ineos Grenadiers | 0:00:09 |
| 4 | Richie Porte (Aus) Ineos Grenadiers | |
| 5 | Sonny Colbrelli (Ita) Bahrain Victorious | |
| 6 | Marc Hirschi (Swi) UAE Team Emirates | 0:00:11 |
| 7 | Jesus Herrada (Spa) Cofidis | 0:00:14 |
| 8 | Mattia Cattaneo (Ita) Deceuninck-QuickStep | 0:00:15 |
| 9 | Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Bora-Hansgrohe | 0:00:16 |
| 10 | Ilan Van Wilder (Bel) Team DSM |
Points
| 1 | Sonny Colbrelli (Ita) Bahrain Victorious | 80 |
| 2 | Peter Sagan (Svk) Bora-Hansgrohe | 50 |
| 3 | Patrick Bevin (NZl) Israel Start-up Nation | 50 |
Mountains
| 1 | Joel Suter (Swi) Swiss National Team | 38 |
| 2 | Davide Villella (Ita) Movistar Team | 34 |
| 3 | Rein Taaramäe (Est) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux | 26 |
Young Riders
| 1 | Marc Hirschi (Swi) UAE Team Emirates | 8:39:59 |
| 2 | Ilan Van Wilder (Bel) Team DSM | 0:00:05 |
| 3 | Thymen Arensman (Ned) Team DSM | 0:00:10 |