Adriatica Ionica Race: Padun wins 'queen stage' and takes lead on GC

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Bahrain-Merida's Mark Padun won stage 2 of the Adriatica Ionica Race at the Tre Cime di Lavaredo on Thursday, getting the better of Dayer Quintana (Neri Sottoli–Selle Italia–KTM) and Israel Cycling Academy's Ben Hermans in a four-rider sprint.

Padun also took over the race lead from the winner of stage 1, Deceuninck-QuickStep's Alvaro Hodeg.

Padun was part of the day's main break, which was steadily whittled down over the course of the 204.6km stage – considered the 'queen stage' of this year's race – and overpowered his companions in the sprint to the line for a clear victory.

"The team was extraordinary today," Padun said on his team's website. "On the first descent, I had a mechanical problem and I had to stop twice and change my bike. My teammates helped me to get back to the main group, and then I managed to stay with the best riders and attack on the final climb. I couldn't go solo, but I was the fastest from the reduced-group sprint. I'm so happy."

With just two stages left, and with an advantage overall of just six seconds over second-placed Hermans, with EF Education First's Jonathan Caicedo a further four seconds back in third, Padun now hopes that he can do enough to defend his race lead until the end of the race.

"For sure, it's possible to defend the leader's jersey," the 23-year-old said.

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