Rodriguez climbs to fifth on stage two of Austria

Carlos Rodriguez led home Netcompany INEOS with a fifth place finish on stage two of the Tour of Austria after a gruelling mountain test.

Rodriguez battled to the line after fighting up the final HC climb, the Großglockner, with AJ August finishing just behind in seventh.

An early breakaway of eight riders built a lead of almost four minutes during the first half of the stage, but as the race hit the category one Kasereck climb, Bob Jungels, Laurens De Plus and Peter Oxenberg moved to the front of the peloton to begin reeling them back in.

August then took over the pace-setting, before going clear with Rodriguez in pursuit of an attack from Paul Double (Jayco AlUla), alongside Bauke Mollema (Lidl-Trek). As August slipped back, race leader Gregor Mühlberger (Austria) bridged across, and the quartet remained together despite further accelerations from Double on the final ascent of the Großglockner.

Mühlberger capitalised on Double’s attacks, launching a counter with five kilometres remaining to take the stage victory. Behind, the chasing group continued to battle, with Kevin Vermaerke (UAE Team Emirates–XRG) bridging across before Rodriguez crossed the line in fifth.

August secured the young rider’s jersey with his seventh-place finish, while Oxenberg’s 10th place on the stage moved him into second in the young rider classification.