A perfectly timed and powerful move saw Lennart Jasch claim Stage 2 of Il Giro d’Abruzzo 2026, the Popoli Terme–Caramanico Terme. The Tudor rider had attacked alongside Matteo Scalco (XDS Astana) and Mattia Bais (Polti VisitMalta) on the climb towards Scagnano, before going solo around the flamme rouge and holding off the fast-charging peloton all the way to the line.
It was a bitter blow for Dorian Godon and Netcompany Ineos, who were unable to close the gap to the German. Despite dominating the sprint from the chasing group, the Frenchman had to settle for 2nd place, ahead of Scalco. Jasch also made a significant leap up the general classification, gaining nine positions to move into 2nd overall, just 4 seconds behind Alessandro Fancellu (MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort), who retains the leader’s jersey.
The Scagnano climb proves decisive
After around 20 kilometres, six riders managed to break clear: Txomin Juaristi (Euskaltel Euskadi), Tommaso Bosio (General Store-Essegibi-F.lli Curia), Álvaro García (NSN Development), Kasper Andersen (Swatt Club), Adrián Benito (Polti VisitMalta) and Emanuele Ansaloni (Technipes #inEmiliaRomagna). They were reduced to five when Andersen lost contact on the steep Forcella di Acciano.
The breakaway tried to make life difficult for the peloton, but unfortunately for them, too many teams were determined to keep the race under control. Alongside MBH, Netcompany, Team Ukyo and XDS Astana all contributed to the chase, and with 16 km remaining the breakaway was reeled in.
On the Scagnano climb, it was the Kazakh team who took control, stretching out the peloton and paving the way for Matteo Scalco to attack in an attempt to draw out his rivals. Bais and Jasch bridged across to the rider from Vicenza, and the trio pressed on all the way to the summit, cresting the climb with a 25” advantage over the Netcompany-led peloton. The situation remained unchanged on the false flat that followed, until Jasch finally made his move, leaving his companions behind ahead of the final ramp to the finish.
It was his second victory of the season after his success at the Tour of the Alps. A hugely satisfying result for the 2000-born German, who is still relatively new to cycling: until 2023, he was a speed skater, and he only took up cycling just over two years ago.
Tomorrow brings the least demanding stage of the week in terms of climbing, the 159 km Oricola (Piana del Cavaliere)–San Benedetto dei Marsi, which on paper should suit the sprinters.
