Kepplinger 2nd on stage two of The Alula Tour
TDT | Manama
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Stage 2 of the AlUla Tour began in AlUla Old Town and concluded 130 km later at Bir Jaydan Mountain Wirkkah. The stage was shortened by 27 km due to a dangerous gravel section on the descent, resulting in a neutralised segment of the race. This brief pause allowed riders to catch their breath and recharge for the final 6 km of racing.
The team worked hard to keep Rainer Kepplinger safe in the reduced peloton, positioning him well for the finale. He had the legs to fend off Eddie Dunbar but couldn’t quite match the stage winner, Tom Pidcock.
Lead Sports Director Aart Vierhouten was pleased with the outcome and shared his insights on the finish:
“Today was a climbing stage, but I was a bit surprised that we had to do one lap less—27 km shorter, including the final climb. But safety comes first, and the organisers made the right decision given the road conditions. We had to adapt, and we did it very well. The team stuck to the plan: positioning Rainer in the best possible spot for the final 3 km. Everyone worked hard throughout the stage, especially in the crucial final part. On the steepest section, where the gradient hit 7%, our guys were in the top 10, setting a strong pace with 1.5 km to go. That gave Rainer confidence as he sat behind two teammates. The speed was high, and only about 25 riders remained in the front group. We knew Rainer was in good shape, but we also respected the strength of the other contenders.
What impressed me most was Rainer’s composure—he didn’t attack too early. With the final kilometre averaging 11%, it would have been a mistake to go too soon. Instead, he rode like a seasoned pro. When Pidcock made his move, Rainer stayed patient, waiting for Dunbar to chase. As soon as Dunbar surged, Rainer followed his wheel, executing the perfect strategy to secure second place—not far behind Pidcock. This result puts us second in the GC, which gives us a great position to build on.”
Team leader Rainer Kepplinger reflected on his performance:
“I’m super happy. I felt great before the race, and finishing second confirms that. It’s a big confidence boost heading into Friday’s Queen Stage, and now I start in second place overall.”
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