Grosu ideally timed his final sprint in Zadar and aimed ahead of Italians Nizzolo and Minali in the overall order.
Romanian Eduard Michael Grosu (Nippo Vini Fantini) won the second stage of the fourth edition of the “Tour of Croatia” cycling race, which traveled from Karlovac to Zadar for 234.5 kilometers. With this success, Grosu is currently the overall leader of the race, reports Gol.hr on April 18, 2018.
Grosu, who took third place in the first stage on Tuesday, ideally timed his final sprint in Zadar, aiming ahead of Italians Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek) and Riccardo Minali (Astana).
The second stage was marked by unusual events as the race was neutralized during the descent from Velebit to Zadar because of strong winds. After the cyclists managed to reach the mountain goal and passed through the tunnel from the Dalmatian side of the Velebit, the cyclists were stopped as the strong winds were thought to be dangerous for cyclists – and could potentially push the cyclists off the road. The race was neutralized by 30 miles and was resumed when the cyclists arrived in Posedarje, approximately 35 kilometers before the finish line.
At the time the race came to a halt, Dutchman Peter Koning (Aqua Blue Sport) had an approximate two-minute advantage over the group and 35 kilometers in front of him with the wind at his back, during which he had to defend his lead. However, the group moved towards the goal much faster than Koning and reached him 15 kilometers before the finish.
When the cyclists came to the Zadar, the leading group of cyclists included Slovenian Matej Mohorić (Bahrain) who managed to achieve a 10-second advantage over the group but failed to keep the lead despite two masses falling behind in the leading group. In the first group that fell back was the winner of the first stage, Italian Niccolo Bonifazio (Bahrain). This, in turn, forced Bonifazio to lose his lead in the overall order.
Croatian cyclist Josip Rumac (Meridiana Kamen) took sixth place in the second stage, just four seconds behind Grosu.
After two stages, the overall order is led by Grosu who is eight seconds better than Nizzolo in second and 10 seconds ahead of Minali in third. Rumac is in ninth, 18 seconds behind the leading Romanian.
On Thursday, the third stage will take place from Trogir to the highest peak of Biokovo, St. Jure, and will travel 134 kilometers.
2nd Stage:
1. Eduard Michael Grosu (Rum/Nippo Vini Fantini) 5:38:11
2. Giacomo Nizzolo (Ita/Trek) isto vrijeme
3. Riccardo Minali (Ita/Astana) isto vrijeme
4. Jevgenij Gidič (Kaz/Astana) +4
5. Juan Jose Lobato (Špa/Nippo Vini Fantini) +4
6. JOSIP RUMAC (HRV/Meridiana Kamen) +4
7. Matej Mohorič (Slo/Bahrain) +4
8. Andrea Guardini (Ita/Bardiani CSF) +4
9. Marko Kump (Slo/CCC) +8
10. Sondre Enger (Nor/Israel Cycling Academy) +8
Overall:
1. Eduard Michael Grosu (Rum/Nippo Vini Fantini) 11:23:22
2. Giacomo Nizzolo (Ita/Trek) +8
3. Riccardo Minali (Ita/Astana) +10
4. Andrea Guardini (Ita/Bardiani CSF) +12
5. Jon Božič (Slo/Adria Mobil) +12
6. Riccardo Stracchiotti (Ita/MsTina Focus) +17
7. Žiga Jerman (Slo/Ljubljana Gusto Xaurum) +18
8. Matej Mohorič (Slo/Bahrain) +18
9. JOSIP RUMAC (HRV/Meridiana Kamen) +18
10. Jevgenij Gidič (Kaz/Astana) +18
