Ben Hermans Puffs up Powder Mountain to Take Over Race Lead

Trek Segafredo's Peter Stetina lit up stage with huge attack, as Craddock cracks and Piccoli comes back

Stage 2 all came down to the finale, on the really fierce climb up Powder Mountain which featured huge stretches of double digit gradients.

Powder Mountain is 11.8 km at an average of 10.9% and goes to just above 2,700m which rivals the highest pass in the Alps the Col de l'Iseran.

With 8.6 miles upwards, Meter Neri Sottoli were absolutely destroying the peloton for Dayer Quintana!

Trek could hold the wheels the peloton has shrunk dramatically and with 8kms to Howes and Marengo were dropped.

With 7.7km to go, Trek and Rally took over, race leader EF's Lawson Craddock was seen struggling at the back.

Peter Stetina attacked and opened a sizeable gap, behind Dombrowski tried to bring the move back.

Craddock was dropped properly with Morton dropping back to help him. 

Dombrowski, Hermans, Eg, Mannion and Piccoli all chased Stetina.

With 6 km to go and Piccolo attacked and only Hermans could follow, with Dombrowski and Eg hurting! 

With 4.8km to go, Piccoli and Hermans caught Stetina, and then Piccoli attacked.

With 3.7 kms to go Ben Hermans attacked James Piccoli and opened up a big gap to take the stage.

Ben Hermans conquered the Powder Mountain and became the new leader but it won't be easy to defend the Yellow Jersey in the next days against Piccoli and Trek.

VIDEO:2019 Tour of Utah Stage 2 Highlights

2019 Tour of Utah Stage 2 Top 10

1  Ben Hermans 1986  Israel Cycling Academy 03:37:44
2  James Piccoli 1991  Elevate - KHS Pro Cycling + 20
3  Niklas Eg 1995  Trek - Segafredo + 35
4  Peter Stetina 1987  Trek - Segafredo + 58
5  Joe Dombrowski 1991  EF Education First + 01:26
6  Kyle Murphy 1991  Rally UHC Cycling + 01:31
7  Rob Britton 1984  Rally UHC Cycling + 01:36
8  Joao Almeida 1998  Hagens Berman - Axeon + 01:54
9  Matteo Badilatti 1992  Israel Cycling Academy + 02:37
10  Scott Bowden 1995  Team Bridgelane + 02:52