On May 1, 2025, the second stage of the Tour de Romandie unfolded dramatically, showcasing the fierce competition among cycling's elite. Lorenzo Fortunato from the XDS Astana team clinched victory in a thrilling finish, while Alex Baudin of EF Education-EasyPost emerged as the new leader of the general classification.
The 157-kilometer stage, which concluded at La Grande Béroche, was marked by intense pace-setting from the Soudal-Quick Step team, who aimed to eliminate the sprinters early on. Their strategy paid off, as they managed to drop several key competitors, including the previous stage winner, Matthew Brennan from Visma-Lease a Bike, who struggled and was distanced from the peloton at 71 kilometers from the finish.
As the race progressed, a breakaway group of five riders formed, including Fortunato and Baudin, who took full advantage of the chaotic dynamics among the favorites. The group also featured Junior Lecerf from Soudal Quick-Step, Lennert Van Eetvelt from Lotto, and Juan Pedro Lopez from Lidl-Trek. This quintet managed to build a significant lead, reaching a maximum advantage of 1 minute and 30 seconds with just nine kilometers remaining.
In the final moments, Fortunato made a decisive move just before the flamme rouge, leaving his companions behind and sprinting towards victory. He crossed the finish line solo, celebrating his triumph as he secured his first stage win since the 2021 Giro d'Italia. Fortunato's performance was particularly commendable, as he demonstrated tactical acumen by anticipating the right moment to attack, a maneuver that ultimately paid off.
Baudin, who finished just two seconds behind Fortunato, expressed mixed emotions about his performance. "The leader's jersey, for now, I don't care too much about it, without disrespecting the race," he said in a post-race interview. "I really wanted to win. I had my strategy in mind, but it didn’t work out, and I’m disappointed to miss out on my first World Tour victory." Despite his disappointment, Baudin's second-place finish earned him the yellow jersey, putting him in a commanding position in the overall standings.
Currently, Baudin holds a narrow lead of five seconds over Lecerf and six seconds over Van Eetvelt, both of whom were also part of the breakaway. Remco Evenepoel, the Olympic champion and a strong contender, is in sixth place, trailing Baudin by 52 seconds. Evenepoel's performance was closely monitored, especially as this marks his first stage race since a serious injury in December. He attempted to break away but was unable to gain a significant advantage over the other leaders.
The Soudal-Quick Step team played a crucial role in dictating the pace throughout the stage, particularly on the challenging climbs, including the steep Côte de Chaumont, which is 3.2 kilometers long with an average gradient of 11.4%. Their efforts helped to fragment the peloton, creating opportunities for breakaways to form.
As the race continues, the upcoming stages promise further excitement. The third stage, set for May 2, 2025, will cover a challenging 183-kilometer loop around Cossonay, featuring another category two climb at Col du Mollendruz. This stage is expected to test the riders' endurance and climbing abilities, particularly as the competition heats up for the overall title.
In summary, the second stage of the Tour de Romandie showcased not only the physical prowess of the riders but also the strategic elements that define competitive cycling. With Baudin now in yellow and Fortunato's impressive stage win, fans can anticipate an exhilarating continuation of the race.
