A damaged rear wheel in the final few kilometres ruined Scott Davies’ general classification challenge on stage two of Course de la Paix in Czech Republic on Saturday.
The second stage of the UCI Under 23 Nations’ Cup race saw riders tackle 113.6 kilometres from Glucholazy to the summit finish of Praded, the highest paved road in Czech Republic at over 1400 metres above sea level.
Following Great Britain Cycling Team squad-mate Gabriel Cullaigh’s impressive stage win the previous day, the 19-year-old Yorkshireman sported the pink Course de la Paix leader’s jersey. But with teammates Germain Burton, Jake Kelly, Mark Stewart and Alistair Slater, Cullaigh rode to control the race and set up protected rider Davies for the long final assault on Praded, which translates in English as ‘the grandfather’.
But disaster struck just kilometres from the finish, a buckled wheel putting an end to the on-form Davies’ chances of stage victory and the leaders jersey, having started the stage just 22 seconds adrift of the lead.
Davies finished 26th on the stage and general classification, one minute and 22 seconds behind stage winner and new leader Gregor Muhlberger of Austria, who leads the race by six seconds ahead of Laurens de Plus of Belgium.
Thanks for all of your help @GabzCullaigh @JakeTKelly @g_b1zzle @Alislater11 and Mark! #PeaceRace (2/2)
— Scott Davies (@scottdavies95) May 30, 2015
Gabriel Cullaigh lies second behind Muhlberger in the points competition, on 25 points to the Austrian's 32.
Following the stage, Cullaigh said on Twitter: "We can all hold our heads high with how we rode today."
Course de la Paix concludes on Sunday with the 160-kilometre stage starting and finishing in the host town of Jesenik.
Results
Stage two result
General classification after stage two
Points classification after stage two
Team classification after stage two
Mountains classification after stage two
