David Gaudu wins crashed marred second stage of the Volta ao Algarve

French rider David Gaudu (Groupama/FDJ) won the second uphill stage of theVolta ao Algarve in Portugal today, managing to avoid a crash in the finale while Remco Evenepoel finished 6th

Beating a small group up the finishing 7km climb of Foia, Gadu was taken to the top of the climb by teammate Stefan Keung who shredded the peloton of 60 riders at the bottom of the final climb.

Sergio Higuita (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Tobias Foss (Jumbo-Visma) collided and hit the deck on the final bend 50 metres from the finish line. Stage favourite Remco Evenepoel almost crashed into the barrier, and was subsequently blocked by the crash between Higuita and Foss and finished 6th.

Gaudu takes over the overall lead from Fabio Jakobsen (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl). The Dutchman worked for teammate Evenepoel on the penulitime climb and drops to second overall.

The French rider has long been thought as one of the great white hopes in French cycling. In 2016, Gaudu won the Tour de l’Avenir, the most prestigious U23 cycling race and often thought as a precursor to the Tour de France. In 2021, he finished third Liège–Bastogne–Liège, as well as eleventh at the Tour de France.

USA's Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) beasted the final climb to finish 4th and move up to 2nd overall.

Tomorrow's third stage from Faro to Tavira is 203.1 km stage, a sprint finish is expected, ahead of Saturday's long 32.2 km time trial.

VIDEO: Volta ao Algarve Stage 2 Highlights

Volta ao Algarve Stage 2 Top 10

1 David Gaudu (Fra) Groupama-FDJ 4:50:51
2 Samuele Battistella (Ita) Astana Qazaqstan Team 0:00:02
3 Ethan Hayter (GBr) Ineos Grenadiers
4 Brandon McNulty (USA) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:03
5 Daniel Martinez Poveda (Col) Ineos Grenadiers 0:00:04
6 Remco Evenepoel (Bel) Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team
7 Julien Bernard (Fra) Trek-Segafredo 0:00:05
8 Georg Zimmermann (Ger) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux
9 Tony Gallopin (Fra) Trek-Segafredo
10 Sven Erik Bystrøm (Nor) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux 0:00:06

Volta ao Algarve GC Stage 2

1 David Gaudu (Fra) Groupama-FDJ 9:47:20
2 Brandon McNulty (USA) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:01
3 Remco Evenepoel (Bel) Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team
4 Ethan Hayter (GBr) Ineos Grenadiers
5 Daniel Martinez Poveda (Col) Ineos Grenadiers
6 Julien Bernard (Fra) Trek-Segafredo
7 Sven Erik Bystrøm (Nor) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux
8 Tony Gallopin (Fra) Trek-Segafredo 0:00:08
9 Thomas Pidcock (GBr) Ineos Grenadiers 0:00:17
10 Dylan van Baarle (Ned) Ineos Grenadiers 0:00:18