Michael Albasini (Orica-Scott) wins stage two Vuelta Pais Vasco, Spain.

Michael Albasini (Orica-Scott) scored his first victory of the 2017 season, taking out a chaotic bunch sprint on stage 2 of the Vuelta al País Vasco.

 Matthews misses second Pais Vasco stage win but keeps leader's jersey The Swiss rider timed his jump on the sinuous approach into Eltziego perfectly, countering a late attack from Lotto Soudal's Sean De Bie into the final turn and holding off a late charge from Quick-Step's Max Richeze.
 De Bie claimed the third spot just ahead of overnight race leader Michael Matthews (Sunweb). "I actually didn’t feel so great during the stage," Albasini said after his victory. "We had big chain rings on which I am not really used to riding but it was downhill and very fast in the end and it actually worked out very well." "

We decided around 25 kilometres to go that I would try the sprint today. I was looking before the race on the satellite pictures and for me it was pretty clear that we wouldn’t change position much in the final 300-400 metres. "When the guys attacked in the final I went straight away and we didn’t change position much so that was the key to winning today."
 Although there are no time bonuses awarded for the Basque race finishes, Matthews maintained the lead thanks to the count back. Richeze and De Bie are now second and third overall, respectively, on the same time.