In a change-up that resembled the Tour of Utah, Alex Dowsett moved in to the overall lead, taking the yellow jersey from Taylor Phinney, in the Stage 2 of the Tour de l’Avenir. Phinney suffered an unfortunate crash, finishing 20 minutes behind the stage 2 winner Anthony Delaplace (France), as rainy weather and narrow roads proved a dangerous combination for the 143-rider peleton.
Only six seconds behind Phinney in the opening prologue, Trek-LIVESTRONG’s Alex Dowsett finished in the lead pack to secure yellow for the second time in a matter of weeks.
The 21-year-old racing for Great Britain spoke of teammate Phinney, “It’s always nice to be in yellow [but] Taylor Phinney is a very good friend and it bothers me to take advantage of his fall.”
Likewise, Phinney commented it was bittersweet to lose the yellow jersey but giving it to Trek-LIVESTRONG was a great upside to a unlucky day.
Following the race, Phinney was immediately examined for broken bones at a nearby hospital. Several reports have concluded the world champion and Paris-Roubaix U23 winner will continue the race, having only suffered mild road rash.
The narrow, wet roads of France also took down Trek-LIVESTRONG’s Tim Roe, racing for the Australian National Team. After crashing into a barbed wire fence, Roe still managed to finish the day’s stage and receive medical care to continue to race.
Following hospital visits, Roe, too, looks to start Stage 3’s 157-kilometer trek from Saint-Pourçain-sur-Sioule Col du Béal. The stage will favor climbers as the final kilometers bring two Category 1 ascents.
PHINNEY SUSTAINS MINOR ROAD RASH INJURIES
A RAIN-DRENCHED START TO STAGE 2
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