Daryl Impey (Orica-GreenEdge) survived the rolling terrain of the second stage of the Tour de Slovénie on Friday and took the bunch sprint ahead of current race leader Simone Ponzi (Astana) and Diego Ulissi (Lampre-ISD).
The stage covered two categorized climbs and two more lumps on the circuit finish. The Orica-GreenEdge team is in Slovenia to get some work in before the Tour de France, with their lead out comprising of Impey, Brett Lancaster, and sprinter Matt Goss. But it was Impey who got his second win of the season in powerful fashion, in turn keeping Ponzi from taking his second win in as many days.
“It was difficult, because it was very hot,” Impey said afterward. “In the end, I got in the sprint with a smaller bunch. I am very happy with the success. But the next stage is difficult, and I do not expect much because I am not a climber. I hope that stage ends well to take me in to Sunday’s time trial.”
With Goss ailing, Impey got his chance in the sprint. Team manager Matt White explained how it came about.
“Goss had to stop a couple of times today,” White revealed. “He isn't sick, but he had some stomach problems. When the peloton pulled into the circuit for two laps around, he wasn't feeling great, so Daryl had a chance to raise his hand and go for it.
“Daryl pretty much handled the last 20 kilometers on his own. He had some help from Sam [Bewely], but other than that, he handled it all himself. He has turned himself inside out for ‘Gossy’ and whoever else we have asked him to look after this year, and it's a good payback for him to take the win today.”
“We defended the leader’s jersey in spite of the fact that we had only five riders,” Ponzi stated after retaining the overall lead. “By the end, Astana had two captains in me and [Janez] Brajkovic. Jani is better in the time trial, so tomorrow we will work for him. It is the main objective of Astana to win the race.”
With the stage shortened by three kilometers due to road construction, the peloton got underway in Kocevje, on its way to Metlika. Diego Caccia (Farnese Vini-Selle Italia), Andrea Pasqualon (Colnago-CSF Inox), and Jure Bitenc (Sava) were the featuring trio of escapees. They achieved a maximum gap of just under four minutes early on in the stage, with Astana watching over proceedings at the head of the peloton.
The leading trio split the three sprint points throughout the middle part of the stage as Astana got help from Lampre-ISD and Liquigas-Cannondale in bringing the gap under three minutes. Pasqualon took maximum points on both ascents of the Jugorje climb, but at the top for the second time, the trio had just a minute’s gap.
Caccia and Pasqualon dropped Bitenc on the final descent, and the Slovenian was soon back in the peloton, but the Italians were not long on the front either. They were soon brought back as well, and on the finishing circuit, Dominique Nerz (Liquigas-Cannondale) made a brief bid to escape, but all was soon together.
Acqua & Sapone performed the primary lead out for Danilo di Luca, but Impey came around to take the win.