Stage 2 of Amgen Tour of California saw Drapac Cycling back on the podium in what was an exciting and dynamic bunch sprint in Lodi. Wouter Wippert powered to third at the line, just a hair’s width off Mark Cavendish (Etixx-Quickstep) and Peter Sagan (Tinkoff – Saxo).

“It was a really good effort all round. The guys all committed when we hit the finish circuit. Travis and Kerby in particular worked really hard to be sure that Wouter and Brownie could be in position into the final kilometer. Wouter has shown this year that he’s up there with the world’s best on these types of finishes so it’s great to see him cap off a team effort with a podium.” Tom Southam, Sports Director.

Wippert, who won the final stage at this year’s Santos Tour Down Under and two stages at Tour of Taiwan, was the first to launch, and nearly held off the likes of Cavendish and Sagan.

“I am happy with my sprint from today but I don’t like to lose, so the goal is still to win a stage. The team rode well and I was able to situate for the sprint. I came through the last corner with a lot of speed so I had to go a bit early. With a headwind, it was full gas and I just focused on the line. I only wish it was only 10 meters earlier,” Wippert said.

The day started with a neutral lap through the high alpine town of Nevada City, with an immediate climb out of town. An attack was launched very quickly which saw the Sprint Jersey of Will Clarke go with five riders in tow. Clarke was awarded the KOM and the Most Courageous Jersey for his heroic effort in a 200km breakaway for the majority of the stage.

The initial break was absorbed and then again another break formed with 4 riders heading out for a mission into the wind fields out side Lodi. The gap grew out to 5:15 and then settled back around three minutes for the next 70 kilometers.

As the riders entered town, the break had a mere 30 seconds on a fast charging peloton. A back of the pack crash halted the attack for a moment, but the sprint teams immediately took over the front and forced the pace and absorbing the breakaway on the first lap in Lodi.

Drapac took control of the peloton as they entered Lodi for two laps through town and forced the other teams to manipulate around the boys in red.

“The team worked hard to keep control of the front of the race, and it showed we are able to hold our own against some of the best sprint trains,”  Wippert added. “Brownie (Graeme Brown) dropped me off exactly where I needed to be in the final kilometer.”

As they came around the last corner and headed down the finish straight, the crowds lined six deep were in a full roar as Wippert took the lead. Cavendish came on the right of him just at the line, with Sagan on the left of Wippert.

Tomorrow is all about the hills, as the race heads up the back side of Mt. Hamilton mid-way through the 170 kilometer stage, for is surely to be an epic battle up the 4,216-foot behemoth. This will be the race’s tenth consecutive year in San Jose, the only host city to earn that distinction.

“It will surely be a hard stage and I think it could catch people by surprise how challenging it will be. I think we will see the first GC selection being made for sure. The winner tomorrow, could be the same person who wins the tour,” Keith Flory, Sports Director said.