At the end of an exhausting day for the fast men, Team Bahrain Vic- torious’ Phil Bauhaus took a 22nd career win in stage 2 of the Tour of Slovenia, narrowly edging out Alberto Dainese (TUD) and Luka Mezgec (JAY).
There were 178 kilometres to negoti- ate between Žalec and Rogaska Slatina, including one categorised climb: Celjski Koca. UAE Team Emirates set a strong pace to drop many of the potential con- tenders, while the Bahrain Victorious riders used it to their advantage, and took control.
“On the climb, we were hoping for a slower pace so that Phil could hold on, but UAE attacked,” said Matej Mohoric after the stage. “Phil got back on shortly after the finish of the descent, then it was quite fast on the narrow roads.The group that formed at the front went pretty fast and we had to catch four guys in front.”
Bauhaus, who was among the prestage favourites, was clear that it had been anything but straightforward: “It was for us sprinters and me, a super hard day, particularly the climb in the middle of the stage. UAE and the other guys really went at a hard pace. I was with (Alberto) Dainese and (Alexander) Kristoff on top of the climb.
But we made it back. Also, the last 40, and 50kms were just basically suffering for us sprinters. I felt well, so I am very happy with my legs. In the sprint I was just squeezing everything out. I am super happy that I could pass Dainese and take the win.
“A bunch sprint is always about small details. At the end of yesterday, I came third. I think it’s still a good result, of course, you always want to win but it’s super difficult. (Dylan) Groenewegen, Kristoff and those guys are world-class bike riders. Yesterday we did good but not perfect, today we did amazing teamwork from the start to the end.”
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