Rally Cycling’s Robin Carpenter finished third on stage two of the Tour of Denmark. On a challenging, technical circuit, Carpenter attacked the peloton with ten kilometers remaining and formed a two-man move with Julius Johansen (ColoQuick). The pair was caught on the steep finishing climb by current Cyclo-Cross World Champion Wout Van Aert, and Van Aert powered across the line alone. Carpenter finished on the podium after his efforts. Adam de Vos finished an impressive eighth place on the stage, while Carpenter moved into third on the general classification.
“Third feels great,” said Carpenter. “This is a hard race and I was beat by a world champion. Can’t complain. I’m happy to have a result to write home about at the beginning of this four-week trip. I followed my instincts today and attacked at the right moment.”
The 174 km stage began in Viborg and headed south for perhaps the most selective part of this year’s Tour of Denmark, three challenging five-kilometer circuits through the hills of Vejle.
“I had been looking at this race and the GC since we received the invite,” said Carpenter. “I made sure to get time on the time trial bike at home before this so I would be prepared for that contest later in the week. The biggest hurdle was getting through this stage without losing time. I think I’m in a great position for the GC.”
With three stages remaining, all eyes are on stage four’s 19 km time trial in Nykøbing Falster, where the general classification will likely be decided. Stages three and five are expected to be field sprints where the team will protect Carpenter’s position in the overall while also giving Colin Joyce, Ryan Anderson, Eric Young, and Brad Huff a chance to sprint for stage glory.
Tour of Denmark Stage 2 Results
1 Wout van Aert (Bel) Vérandas Willems-Crelan 4:13:51
2 Alexander Kamp (Den) Team Waoo 0:00:02
3 Robin Carpenter (USA) Rally Cycling 0:00:04
4 Julius Johansen (Den) ColoQuick 0:00:06
5 Benjamin Declercq (Bel) Sport Vlaanderen – Baloise 0:00:11
6 Xandro Meurisse (Bel) Wanty – Groupe Gobert
7 Pieter Weening (Ned) Roompot – Nederlandse Loterij
8 Adam De Vos (Can) Rally Cycling
9 Fabian Lienhard (Sui) Holowesko – Citadel p/b Arapahoe Resources
10 Oscar Riesebeek (Ned) Roompot – Nederlandse Loterij
General Classification after Stage 2
1 Wout Van Aert (Bel) Veranda’s Willems Crelan 9:19:16
2 Alexander Kamp (Den) Team Waoo 0:00:06
3 Robin Carpenter (USA) Rally Cycling 0:00:10
4 Lasse Norman Hansen (Den) Aqua Blue Sport 0:00:11
5 Julius Johansen (Den) Team Coloquick 0:00:16
6 Xandro Meurisse (Bel) Wanty-Groupe Gobert 0:00:21
7 Milan Menten (Bel) Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise
8 Benjamin Declercq (Bel) Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise
9 Adam De Vos (Can) Rally Cycling
10 Hugo Houle (Can) Astana Pro Team
Team Classification after Stage 2
1. RALLY CYCLING 27:58:44
2. SPORT VLAANDEREN – BALOISE 27:58:51 +0:07
3. ROOMPOT – NEDERLANDSE LOTERIJ 27:58:58 +0:14
