Tulett impresses with fifth place in second stage of Itzulia Basque Country

# Tulett Shines with Fifth Place in Itzulia Basque Country’s Second Stage

In a thrilling second stage of the Itzulia Basque Country, British cyclist Ben Tulett showcased his impressive climbing skills, finishing fifth in a challenging 164-kilometre race. The stage was marked by steep ascents and a fierce competition among top riders.

Earlier in the race, Bruno Armirail initiated an attack alongside six breakaway companions, establishing a lead of up to three minutes. However, the peloton, with Paul Seixas—who had claimed victory in the first stage—quickly bridged the gap on the grueling San Miguel de Aralar. Seixas’s early aggression saw him overtaking escapees one by one while Tulett maintained a steady rhythm in the chasing group.

After a tough battle, Tulett crossed the finish line in fifth place, moving up from fourteenth to fifth in the general classification.

“I’m pleased with this result. It gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the week,” Tulett commented. “The pace was high right from the start and the intensity increased as the day went on. My teammates got me into a good position at the foot of San Miguel de Aralar, and from there, it was a case of pedaling as hard as possible up the climb. It was a great battle with the other GC contenders, and I’m looking forward to the coming days.”

Team Visma’s sports director, Frans Maassen, expressed his optimism regarding Tulett’s performance. “Ben did really well today. We were hopeful that he could keep up with the best, but you still have to prove it. We know there are still a few tough days ahead, but this gives us hope for a good classification. The aim is for Ben to finish in the top ten, and anything better than that is a bonus.”

### Stage 2 Results

1. **Paul Seixas** (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) – 4:11:48
2. **Mattias Skjelmose** (Lidl – Trek) – +1:25
3. **Primož Roglič** (Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe) – +1:25
5. **Ben Tulett** (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) – +1:25

### General Classification After Stage 2

1. **Paul Seixas** – 47:38:10
2. **Primož Roglič** – +1:59
3. **Florian Lipowitz** – +2:08
5. **Ben Tulett** – +2:27

The excitement continues in the Itzulia Basque Country as Tulett gears up for the upcoming stages, hoping to further improve his standing in the overall classification.