Shiplevsky fights off the heat for a close win

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Russia's Boris Shiplevsky claimed a narrow sprint victory on stage two of the 2009 Tour of Hainan. Stage one winner and race leader Vitaliy Buts (Ukraine) was brought down in a crash within the final kilometre, but retained his overall race lead.

Baking in Baoting

The Tour of Hainan's 182.8 kilometre stage two, from Baoting to Xinglong, was always going to be tough for the riders, with three category climbs and searing heat to contend with.

With the peak of the first climb just 18 kilometres into the stage the early pace bore close resemblance to the temperature. William Dickeson (Savings and Loans) attacked as the route approached the climb and was joined by Volodymyr Zagorodniy (Ukraine) shortly afterwards. Zagorodniy (Ukraine) crossed the line first on the category 2 climb, with one minutes advantage over the rest of the field.

After the descent the two riders were joined by a small group when Jean Schluter (Nutrixxion Sparkasse) attacked off the front approaching the category 1 climb 48 kilometre into the stage. However, Schulter faultered in the heat and was overtaken by Jai Crawford (Savings and Loans), Volodymyr Zagorodniy (Ukraine) and Mateusz Taciak (Mroz). The three riders lead over the 757 metre high mountain and at the base of the long descent they had one minutes worth of their advantage intact.

The Ukrainian team took the front of the main group and eventually reeled in the escapees. With over 100 kilometres still to race Jelly Belly's Phillip Gaimon then tried his luck. He managed to stay in front until after the third mountain prime of the day, but the strength of the Ukrainian team slowly reeled him back into the fold. Ukraine stayed on the front until 10 kilometres to go, as several attempts at a winning break broke the unofficial armistice of the pack.

The main bunch entered the final kilometres together. A crash inside the final kilometre, brought down a number of riders, including yellow jersey wearer Vitaliy Buts (Ukraine). Ahead, a delighted Boris Shpilevsky (Russia) took out the close sprint.

With the crash occurring within the final kilometre Buts received the same time as the lead group and retained the yellow jersey. He was taken to hospital but is expected to start Friday's third stage.