Mynavi Tour de Kyushu 2024 – Kumamoto Aso Stage (Stage 2)
The Kumamoto Aso Stage which is the second stage of the race, was held over 108.46 km, racing through the magnificent landscape of Aso. General Classification leader Emilien Jeannière (TotalEnergies) took the victory, extending his lead.
The course featured the Category 1 Hakoseki Pass and three crossings of the Category 2 Amano Pass. An early breakaway formed on the Hakoseki Pass but was quickly absorbed. At the 68 km mark, a group of five riders, including Yuma Koishi (JCL Team UKYO) and Ariel Carlos Samudio Carrera (Corratec Vini Fantini), pushed ahead.
TotalEnergies, led by Jeannière, controlled the peloton, gradually closing the gap. With less than 10 km remaining, the lead shrank to just 14 seconds. Koishi launched a solo attack from the breakaway group but was caught with only 1 km to go.
In the sprint finish, Jeannière, who had controlled the race throughout with his team, claimed his second consecutive win. By securing bonus seconds, he further increased his lead in the GC.
Samudio Carrera earned enough mountain points to claim the King of the Mountains jersey, and there were no changes in the other jersey classifications.
Kumamoto Aso Stage (Stage 2) Results:
1st: Emilien Jeannière (TotalEnergies) – 02:27:51
2nd: Ivan Smirnov (Astana Qazaqstan)
3rd: Lukas Nerurkar (EF Education-EasyPost)
Overall General Classification:
1st: Emilien Jeannière (TotalEnergies) – 05:44:59
2nd: Lukas Nerurkar (EF Education-EasyPost) +9s
3rd: Anton Charm (Astana Qazaqstan) +16s
Points Classification: Emilien Jeannière (TotalEnergies)
King of the Mountains: Ariel Carlos Samudio Carrera (Corratec Vini Fantini)
Best Young Rider: Lukas Nerurkar (EF Education-EasyPost)
Comments from Emilien Jeannière, Stage Winner and Leader of General & Points Classifications:
“This is the final race of Julien Simon’s professional career, and he has been crucial in leading me out for the sprint. I’m glad we were able to deliver as a team. Tomorrow, we’ll give it our all, and with the strength of our team, I’m confident we can defend the leader’s jersey.”
Comments from Ariel Carlos Samudio Carrera, King of the Mountains Leader:
“I thought we might pull off the breakaway, but we were caught. Still, I’m happy to earn the King of the Mountains jersey as a bonus. Tomorrow is the decisive day, and our team will fight hard to defend this jersey. Securing a podium finish is important for the team. With another tough circuit tomorrow, I hope to be part of the breakaway again.”
The final day of Mynavi Tour de Kyushu 2024, the Fukuoka Stage (Stage 3), will be a 140.48 km race from Okagaki Sanry Ai to Munakata Taisha Shrine. The stage will include nine laps of a circuit featuring the Category 2 Tarumi Pass. Another survival race, similar to Stage 1, is anticipated.
