The second stage of La Vuelta closed out the festivities in the Principality as riders began their journey from Monaco to Manosque on Sunday 23 August. James Matthew Brennan claimed the Stage 2 victory, followed by Pau Miquel Delgado and Tadej Pogačar.

Before Stage 2 began, a crowd gathered at the Prince’s Palace for the “Ride for Peace”, co-hosted by La Vuelta and Peace and Sport as part of their ongoing partnership to promote the role of sport in promotion of unity and peace. The initiative brought together former professional cyclists Alexandre Vinokourov, Stephen Roche, and Fabio Aru, alongside sporting figures including Antoine Zeghdar, Maxime Nocher, Marlène Nidecker and more.

Shortly after, La Vuelta riders gathered at the Prince’s Palace for the official ceremony marking the start of Stage 2 and the 214.3-kilometer journey from Monaco to Manosque.

Following his Stage 1 victory in the Principality, Pogačar entered the second stage wearing the red jersey with just 0.09 seconds separating him from Ethan Hayter. The British cyclist challenged his lead after picking up six bonus seconds at an intermediate sprint, but Pogačar’s third-place finish ultimately saw the Slovenian maintain his position at the top of the general classification and retaining the red jersey.

Meanwhile, Brennan’s victory marked a milestone in his first Grand Tour, with the 21-year-old claiming his first stage win at this level.

With Stage 2 complete, La Vuelta officially concluded its first-ever Grand Départ from the Principality, adding the race to Monaco’s history of hosting cycling’s three Grand Tours alongside the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.

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Photo credit: Michaël Alesi / Palais princier