In today’s CT Daily News Digest: Pello Bilbao wins Tour of Turkey, stage 2; Hampsten on the Extreme Weather Protocol: I’m seeing bike racing turn into numbers, not glorious battles; How the Race Was Won: 2016 Liège-Bastogne-Liège; Michael Rogers announces immediate retirement from cycling due to ongoing heart issues; Rivera, Powless win Joe Martin Stage Race; Sagan returns to mountain bike racing; Colorado pro cyclist’s memory gone after crash; 2017 Tour de France start details emerge; Strava launches Global Bike to Work Day to help improve cycling infrastructure; Video: Orica-GreenEdge backstage pass: Liège-Bastogne-Liège; Video: Life as a pro mechanic
Daily News Digest
NEWS AND RACING BROUGHT TO YOU BY CHAPTER2 BIKES
Pello Bilbao wins Tour of Turkey, stage 2
by Mark Zalewski
Big winds made the race for the second stage of the Tour of Turkey, gusting to over 18 knots. The Caja Rural-Seguros RGA team utilised this to launch Pello Bilbao to the win with teammate José Gonçalves winning the small group sprint 10 seconds behind.

Pello Bilbao wins Tour of Turkey, stage 2 Photo: Tour of Turkey/Brian Hodes
“We knew that we had a great opportunity today and the team did an excellent job, dominating the stage with all the riders in the front group,” said Bilbao.
“At the end, I won the stage but it could have been anyone from the team today. Everybody did a perfect job. I didn’t plan to attack that far out but I saw an opportunity and I went for it. Also, I knew that if they caught me, José [Gonçalves] would be there to sprint. Tomorrow could be a stage for him as well. We will try to help him but also save energy for the remaining part of the race.”
Stage 1 winner Przemyslaw Niemiec of Lampre-Merida defended his lead, but by only 6 seconds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWI6MgsfiTw
Today’s feature image is from the new cobbled climb, the Côte de la Rue Naniot, featured in Sunday’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège.