Stage 2 of the 2024 Swiss Epic marked a successful return for the Wilier Vittoria MTB Factory Team as they re-entered the race for the general classification.
The 76 km stage from La Punt to Davos was a challenging route that led riders over stunning alpine passes. After a tough first day, Wilier Vittoria claimed the stage victory with a remarkable performance by Fabian Rabensteiner and Samuele Porro, who staged an impressive recovery.
At the Davos finish line, the Wilier Vittoria duo triumphed over the current race leaders, Lorenzo and Nicolas Samparisi of KTM Alchemist Brenta Brakes. The race was decided on the brutal Scaletta Pass and the technical descent leading into Davos, where Rabensteiner and Porro managed to gain back over 1'30'' on the leading pair.
"We focused on recovery after the first Stage, with a good massage and early rest," Rabensteiner said. "We started conservatively yesterday but pushed hard when we saw the leaders about a minute ahead on the Scaletta Pass. On the final climb before Davos, they were just 50 meters ahead, so we went full gas, caught them on the descent, and won the sprint. Five minutes is a big gap in the general classification, but we'll keep trying because anything can happen".
Today, the third stage takes place, starting and finishing in Davos, where the riders will face over 2,000 meters of elevation gain.
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