Another day another dominant UAE performance as Marc Hirschi takes stage 2 of Czech Tour ahead of Diego Ulissi

UAE Team Emirates continues to have a stranglehold over the peloton of late. On stage 2 of the 2024 Czech Tour, Marc Hirschi took the win, moving into the Yellow Jersey, with Diego Ulissi making it a UAE one two.

After four riders got themselves into the day's breakaway, as the first of two ascents of the Pustevny began with around 40km to go, their advantage over the peloton was hovering around the minute mark. 

Once the climbing began, the stage 1 winner and Yellow Jersey wearer Luke Lamperti of Soudal - Quick-Step quickly began to fall away. At the front meanwhile, Michal Schuren was proving himself the quickest of the breakaway. By the top of the climb though, Schuren had been caught and passed by British climber, Paul Double.

Once Double had been caught by the peloton, there were a continues flurry of attacks on the false flat before the final climb of the day, the second ascent of Pustevny without any truly snapping the elastic. With things then staying together, the next big attack came with around 4km to go as Michael Storer attempted to move clear.

The Aussie wasn't able to properly break free though as the likes of Marc Hirschi and Sergio Higuita followed in the wheels relatively comfortably. In fact, the first attacks to get a gap came from Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL's Kevin Vermaeke. Into the final kilometre, Hirschi launched a violent counter attack in search of the American, catching and passing Vermaeke, en route to a stunning stage win, with teammate Diego Ulissi making it a one two for UAE Team Emirates.