Boucles de la Mayenne: Benoît Cosnefroy wins stage 2 from small bunch sprint

Benoît Cosnefroy of UAE Team Emirates XRG secured a notable victory on stage 2 of the Boucles de la Mayenne, winning a sprint from a select group of 13 riders after a demanding 215.1-kilometre route to Pré-en-Pail-Saint-Samson. The stage featured a challenging finale reminiscent of the Ardennes Classics, with 11 climbs packed into the last 100 kilometres, which fragmented the peloton and set the scene for a reduced bunch sprint. Cosnefroy’s powerful finish allowed him to edge out Noa Isidore from Decathlon CMA CGM and Vincenzo Albanese of EF Education-EasyPost. The win was significant not only for the stage victory but also for the time bonuses awarded, which propelled Cosnefroy into the overall race lead. He now holds a seven-second advantage over Thibaud Gruel of Groupama-FDJ United, with Isidore close behind in third place, trailing by 12 seconds. This reshuffling highlights the competitive nature of the race and the impact of the hilly terrain on the general classification. Cosnefroy’s performance underlines his strength and tactical acumen in tough, undulating conditions, positioning him as a key contender for the remainder of the Boucles de la Mayenne. The stage’s selective nature and the time gaps created suggest that the upcoming stages will continue to be fiercely contested, with riders needing to balance aggression and endurance to challenge for the overall victory. Observers will be keen to see how the race unfolds, particularly whether Cosnefroy can maintain his lead against the chasing pack.