Volta a Catalunya stage 2: Kaden Groves edges Phil Bauhaus in small bunch sprint

Kaden Groves made it two wins in two days for (BikeExchange-Jayco), as he edged out Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain-Victorious) in a reduced bunch sprint.

Yesterday’s winner and overall leader Michael Matthews turned provider today, leading out the sprint. Although Bauhaus had the prime spot on Matthews’ wheel, Groves was able to come around the German to take the victory.

“I’ve waited a long time for this,” said the Australian at the finish, reflecting on what was his first victory at WorldTour level. “It feels really amazing.”

It was not a perfect day for BikeExchange-Jayco, however, as their GC leader Simon Yates was absent from the leading group of around 50 riders after he had gone down in a crash that occurred just before the wind helped cause a split in the peloton.

It was not a perfect day for BikeExchange-Jayco, however, as their GC leader Simon Yates was absent from the leading group of around 50 riders, after he had gone down in a crash that occurred just before the wind helped cause a split in the peloton.

Yates ultimately lost 33 seconds, finishing with a group that also contained GC hopefuls Hugh Carthy (EF Education-EasyPost), Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe), and Tom Dumoulin (Jumbo-Visma).

The team also lost the overall lead to Jonas Iversby Hvideberg (Team DSM) who managed to make it to the finish in the lead group.

Having gained enough bonus seconds during his second successive stage in the break, the Norwegian Hvideberg now leads Matthews by one second on GC, with Hugo Hofstetter (Arkéa-Samsic) in third at seven seconds, having finished third in today’s sprint behind Groves and Bauhaus.

Despite these setbacks, Groves’ win was still a cause for great celebration for the team.

“It was pretty tough, with echelons splitting the bunch. Michael [Matthews] and I were in the front, and a lot of other strong teams like Movistar and Jumbo [-Visma]. We had Simon out the back, and they were using that to their advantage to put some time into him, so it was pretty full gas.

“The guys did such a great job all day, riding in a good position, riding at the front, and making sure the breakaway was close so that there could be a sprint today, and also being in a good position for the corner before the crosswinds.”

The break, which had consisted of Joan Bou (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Adria Moreno (Burgos-BH) as well as Hvideberg, was brought back with 29km still to go, but not before Hvideberg had gained enough bonus seconds at intermediate sprints to become the race’s new virtual leader.

The catch was made just as the pace in the peloton was increasing in anticipation of potential echelons in exposed sections towards the finish.

With the peloton all strung out in one long line, Yates was one of a few riders to go down on a corner 16km from the finish.

His task of rejoining the front was made even more difficult when the wind caused splits in the peloton. With 10km to go, he and a few BikeExchange-Jayco teammates joined a large chasing group that was over thirty seconds adrift from a front group of around fifty riders containing most of the GC favorites.

Although he did manage to reduce the deficit to about 25 seconds, it grew again marginally during the final 5km, and went back up to 33 seconds.

Despite the dry conditions, Yates’ was one of several crashes throughout the day, including one incident involving the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl pair of Andrea Bagioli and Ilan Van Wilder, and another with Nelson Powless and Ivan Sosa. However, all appeared unhurt.

On a descent 58km from the finish, Mattias Jensen (Trek-Segafredo) had a real scare when he overshot a corner and fell into a ravine, in a crash that also saw Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates) go down. But he, too, was able to continue, and could be heard saying: ‘I’m fine, I’m fine’ before remounting his bike.

One rider who was not feeling fine was Richie Porte (Ineos Grenadiers), who abandoned the race shortly after being dropped out of the peloton on an incline 61km from the finish.

He joined fellow GC contender and Australian Jack Haig (Bahrain-Victorious) in leaving the race, who didn’t make the start.