Today, Jerome Baugnies (Wanty - Groupe Gobert) took his second consecutive victory of his career, as he outsprinted race leader Luis Leon Sanchez (Caja Rural) and Natnael Berhane (MTN-Qhubeka). Songezo Jim earned himself the most aggressive rider of the stage.

Today’s second stage of the African race La Tropicale Amissa Bongo was 120 km long. The profile showed some hills, but no special climbs. Frenchman Jerome Baugnies took his first victory with the new Team Wanty - Groupe Gobert as the sprint ended in Oyem in Gabon. This was also the first ever victory for Wanty - Groupe Gobert.  

The day started with a few breakaway attempts, but a real breakaway was formed after 20 km. In the breakaway were five men including Songezo Jim (MTN-Qhubeka) and Omar Fraile (Caja Rural). They slowly got away from the peloton, but Songenzo Jim didn’t feel to be caught by the peloton and decided to attack the breakaway group with only 10 km to go.

He wasn’t alone though. Caja Rural rider Omar Fraile wanted to be a part of Songezo Jim’s attack and moved with him. They agreed on cooperating with each other and take the sprint at last, but they couldn’t hold the fast peloton behind them. With only 5 km to the finish line, Songezo Jim and Omar Fraile were caught and the final scene was settled for a sprint.

The sprint was close, but Jerome Baugnies was the first man from the peloton to cross the finish line. Right after him was Luis Leon Sanchez, who won enough bonus seconds to wear the leader’s jersey again tomorrow. The last place on the podium was once again taken by MTN-Qhubeka rider Natnael Berhane.  

The green jersey is still held by Spaniard Luis Leon Sanchez, while the polka dot jersey has found a new owner. Omar Fraile was the first over the intermediate KOM sprints and is in the lead by 4 points to yesterday’s wearer Lluis Bonet. Florian Senechal is still in front of the youth classification and neither has nothing changed in the teams classification.

Result:

1 Jérôme Baugnies 2:54:25
2 Luis Leon Sanchez
3 Natnael Berhane
4 Roy Jans
5 Meron Amanuel
6 Giovanni Bernaudeau
7 Salah Eddine Mraouni
8 Metkel Eyob
9 Florian Senechal
10 Reda Aadel                            

General Classification:

1 Luis Leon Sanchez 6:26:44
2 Egoitz Garcia 0:00:05
3 Natnael Berhane 0:00:08
4 Linus Gerdemann 0:00:16
5 Grégory Habeaux
6 Fabrice Jeandesboz 00:00:20
7 Jérôme Baugnies 0:00:53
8 Florian Senechal 0:01:02
9 Giovanni Bernaudeau 0:03:02
10 Salah Eddine Mraouni

Points Classification:

1 Luis Leon Sanchez 57
2 Natnael Berhane 50
3 Jerome Baugnies 47
4 Egoitz Garcia 33
5 Linus Gerdemann 33            

Mountains Classification:

1 Omar Fraile 10
2 Lluis Bonet 6
3 Marco Minnaard 6
4 Songezo Jim 6
5 Salah Eddine Mraouni 5

Youth Classification:

1 Florian Senechal 6:27:46
2 Salah Eddine Mraouni 00:02:00
3 Metkel Eyob
4 Adil Barbari 00:09:10
5 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana 00:18:12

Teams Classification:

1 Team Europcar 19:23:50
2 Wanty - Groupe Gobert 00:00:49
3 Cofidis 00:16:37
4 MTN-Qhubeka 00:18:44
5 Morocco 00:21:12