The 28-year-old neo-pro Paul Double made his mark in the professional peloton today, storming to an incredible stage victory on day two of Coppi e Bartali, subsequently catapulting himself into the race lead.
The 2025 Team Jayco AlUla recruit displayed his great strength and determination, showing his class on the hilly stage. With three and a half laps to conclude the 163km stage, each lap featuring a 3.2km climb, Double made sure he was always positioned towards the front, thanks to the help of his teammates.
The real fireworks were preserved until deep into the finale of the second stage. Double single-handedly closed the gap to the last breakaway rider, Lennart Jasch, and set up an explosive acceleration with 2.5 kilometres to go. The heavily depleted peloton, containing the big favourites, had no answer to the Brit’s exceptionally strong performance and rolled over the finish line shortly after him.
The victory makes it the Briton’s second professional career win and his first as a WorldTour rider in Team Jayco AlUla colours. Double will now start tomorrow’s third stage in the race lead.
Paul Double – Stage 2 winner
“I am quite emotional to be honestly, lots of feelings after the race and a bit teary. The truth is I was actually a bit teary in the race because I am new to the WorldTour and was kind of doubting myself throughout the race and then I got myself motivated for the finale. It was a nice finish and to be honest that’s the way I like to win.
The team were keeping me motivated all day and I think it’s a hard race to ride well as a compact group, but I think we really did the best we could. It was nice everyone coming up to me after the finish line and giving me congrats, it means a lot.”
Valerio Piva – Sport Director
“The tactic was to move at the end and when we saw other teams moving, we tried to anticipate, and it went well. Paul was strong all day, and in each lap he was always with the best, always coming up the hill amongst the first riders. It’s an important victory for Paul and for the team after a bit of an unlucky period.”
2025 Coppi e Bartali stage 2 results:
1. Paul Double (Team Jayco AlUla) 4:18:23
2. Jarno Widar ST
3. Diego Ulissi ST
General Classification after stage 2:
1. Paul Double (Team Jayco AlUla)
Photo: Sprint Cycling
