Racing aboard his all-new Trek Madone, Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team rider George Hincapie held off his eleven-man breakaway companions to win today’s Stage Two bunch sprint and take the overall Tour of Missouri lead.
Nearly 33 miles into today’s 125 mile stage from Clinton to Springfield, Hincapie and eleven other riders rode off the front of the peloton, the first big break of the day. With a representative from most of the teams in the group, the breakaway slowly built up its lead, as the teams in the peloton were keen to let their man in the break have a go at victory. For their part, the breakaway riders worked well together to build and maintain their lead, eventually racking up almost a 17 1/2 minute advantage over the peloton. After 100 miles of racing, and a seven and a half mile lead of the peloton, it became clear that the break would hold all the way to the line.
After the usual cat-and-mouse games, wheel jockeying, and attacks and counterattacks from the riders in the break, the group came together for a final sprint as they approached the line. Hincapie, a former sprinter who over the years has re-made himself into an excellent all-around rider, broke free from the bunch to take the stage win and the overall Tour lead.
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