
The second stage of the 2025 Tour de Taiwan moved to Taoyuan City, where riders had to battle with temperatures of 12°C, strong winds, and a challenging uphill and mountain finish.
Brady Gilmore (Israel - Premier Tech) emerged victorious, securing his first victory in Asia, while his teammate Moritz Kretschy conquered the yellow jersey and is the new general classification leader.
The race saw an initial breakaway of four riders form after 10 km, later joined by two more riders: Bailey McDonald (Team Novo Nordisk), Tali Lane Welsh (Ccache X Bodywrap), Boris Clark (St George Continental Cycling Team), Daniel Ven Cariño (Victoria Sports Pro Cycling), Ng Pak Hang (Hong Kong, China) and Li Ting-Wei (Chinese Taipei National Team).
The breakaway extended their advantage to 2 minutes and 50 seconds before being caught 20 km from the finish, when the peloton increased the pace in preparation for the final climbs. As the group traversed the final mountainous terrain, Brady Gilmore launched a decisive move in the final meters, crossing the finish line in 2:52:06. Jordi Lopez Caravaca (Euskaltel-Euskadi) came in second, followed by Moritz Kretschy (Israel - Premier Tech) in third with the same time. Behind them, Lorenzo Quartucci (Solution Tech Vini Fantini) and Simone Raccani (JCL Team Ukyo), with Giacomo Ballabio from Hrinkow Advarics completing the top ten.
These were Brady Gilmore's words: "This is my first time in Asia and my debut at the Tour de Taiwan. I'm excited to have achieved my first victory here. Before coming to Taiwan, I focused on high-altitude and heat training for two weeks to prepare myself".
His teammate Moritz Kretschy, now leading the general classification, shared his strategy for the future: "With Brady just three seconds behind me, we now have two strong options in the race. This gives us a tactical advantage for the upcoming stages".
Tomorrow's stage 3 will be the Taiwan Romantic Route 3 (154.3 km). The route will cross Hsinchu County, Miaoli County, and Taichung City, starting from Hsinchu Yimin Temple and ending at the Shigang Tourist Service Center. With two intermediate sprints and two KOM climbs, the stage offers an opportunity for climbers and breakaway specialists to shake up the general classification.
FINISH ORDER
1. Gilmore Brady (Israel-Premier Tech) in 02:52:06
2. Lopez Jordi (Euskaltel-Euskadi)
3. Kretschy Moritz (Israel-Premier Tech)
4. Quartucci Lorenzo (Solution Tech-Vini Fantini) + 02
5. Raccani Simone (JCL Team Ukyo)
6. Meijers Jeroen (Victoria Sports Pro Cycling) + 04
7. Cavia Daniel (Burgos Burpellet BH)
8. Isasa Xabier (Euskaltel-Euskadi)
9. Bregnhøj Mathias (Terengganu Cycling Team)
10. Ballabio Giacomo (Hrinkow Advarics)
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