Stüssi and Ballabio Lying in Wait
Stüssi and Ballabio lying in wait
Giro d’Abruzzo: Day 2 from Popoli Terme to Caramanico Terme (143 kilometers)
Team Vorarlberg continues to hold its own in the highly competitive Giro d’Abruzzo. On today’s second stage, the team led by race director Paul Renger rode a tactically astute race and kept all its chances alive for a top finish in this stage race, which runs through Friday.
The man of the day was former speed skater Lennart Jasch (Tudor Pro Cycling Team), who has already won a stage at the Tour of the Alps this year and finished second at the German National Championships. After a five-rider breakaway was caught 15 kilometers from the finish, Jasch broke away with two other escapees in the final stretch. On the final climb, the 25-year-old launched the decisive attack and rode solo to the finish—nine seconds behind the main field, which included Giacomo Ballabio and Colin Stüssi, who finished eighth and 15th, respectively.
The overall standings are very close. The top 40 are within one minute of each other. Yesterday’s stage winner Alessandro Fancellu (16th today) leads by four seconds ahead of Jasch and six ahead of Mathys Rondel from France. Colin Stüssi (31 seconds behind) and Giacomo Ballabio (36 seconds behind) are in 18th and 26th place, respectively, and still have every chance of securing a top overall finish.
Paul Renger had special praise for Ignazio Cireddu. The young Italian held his own in the strong field, led by the The WorldTour team Netcompany-Ineos stayed in contention until just before the finish and showed in its home country that it will be a force to be reckoned with in the future. Things didn’t go as well for Emanuel Zangerle, who was struggling with stomach problems and had to withdraw from the tour.
Philipp Hofbauer is in fourth place in the mountain classification. Kilian Feurstein is saving his energy for tomorrow, when the sprinters are expected to have their chance to shine.
Result: www.procyclingstats.com/race/giro-d-abruzzo/2026/stage-2/result
One more note regarding the first stage: A spectator on the side of the road caused a dangerous situation 25 kilometers from the finish line when he kicked a discarded water bottle back into the peloton. The riders’ sudden evasive maneuvers led to several crashes, but fortunately, none of the riders involved were seriously injured.
Eurosport will broadcast all four stages of the Giro d’Abruzzo through Friday. On Thursday, the third stage—a 159-kilometer route from Oricola to San Benedetto dei Marsi—will take place on the agenda.
Roster: Giacomo Ballabio, Ignazio Cireddu, Philipp Hofbauer, Kilian Feurstein, Dominik Röber, Emanuel Zangerle, Colin Stüssi
