In a thrilling finale to the second stage of the Post Danmark Rundt, yesterday's second place finisher, Michael van Staeyen of the Topsport Vlaanderen team, took top honors over Saxo Bank's Matti Breschel and Skil-Shimano's Bert De Backer. The rider, who won't turn 22 for another week, took over race leadership, the points jersey, and the youth jersey with his triumph.
A fast start to the day didn't allow a break clear until 40 kilometers. Two Danes took the reins at the head of the race: Michael Tronborg Kristensen (Glud and Marstrand) and Thomas Riber-Sellebjerg (Concordia). The duo romped to a three minute lead as the race headed into Dollerup after 60 kilometers of racing.
The lead would peak at around five minutes before the collective effort of both HTC-Columbia and Saxo Bank would eventually begin to bring the gap down in time for an expected bunch sprint.
Inside 20 kilometers to go, and the break was put out to pasture while the sprinter teams ramped up the pace ever higher. In the midst of the high speed run-in to Randers, however, Jakob Fuglsang managed to get clear of the maelstrom with about seven kilometers remaining. The winner of the Post Danmark Rundt in 2008 and 2009 was joined by Mark Renshaw (HTC-Columbia), Pierpaolo de Negri (ISD), Federico Canuti (Colnago), Geert Steurs (Topsport), and David Deroo (Skil-Shimano). The leading group was caught heading into the finish, but Fuglsang and Renshaw persisted into the final kilometer before being caught as the field sprint opened up in earnest.
Van Staeyen's win was the first of his professional career, but he has been hinting at a big win since February. After leaving the Rabobank Development team at the end of 2009, Van Staeyen moved to Topsport Vlaanderen for his 2010 neo-pro season. His 2010 has been nothing short of excellent considering his still very young age and has included a 3rd place finish in Stage 5 at the Tour of Oman in February, 5th at the Tour de Picardie, 4th in Stage 1 of the Tour of Slovenia, and 12th at the Belgium National Championship road race.
Stage 2 Results
1 Michael van Stayen - Topsport Vlaanderen
2 Matti Breschel - Saxo Bank
3 Bert De Backer - Skil-Shimano
4 Jeremy Hunt - Cervélo
5 Manuel Belletti - Colnago-CSF
6 Matt Goss - HTC Columbia
7 Mark Renshaw - HTC Columbia
8 Tyler Farrar - Garmin Transitions
9 Rasmus Guldhammer - HTC Columbia
10 Sacha Modolo - Colnago-CSF
General Classification after two stages
1 Michael van Stayen - Topsport Vlaanderen
2 Matt Goss - HTC Columbia 12:06
3 Matti Breschel - Saxo Bank 0.10
4 Manuel Belletti - Colnago-CSF 0.10