AS IT HAPPENED: Stage Two
Look back at all the updates from Stage Two of the RideLondon Classique on Saturday 28 May 2022.
Stage Two
NEW
15:20
Stage Two results
To see the full results from Stage Two of the RideLondon Classique, click here.
To read our Stage Two race report, click here.
Will Wiebes win the final stage in central London as well? Join us again tomorrow to find out!
14:55
Wiebes speeding to victory
14:48
Wiebes wins – again!
Following a Stage One win in Maldon, Lorena Wiebes (Team DSM) yet again crosses the Finish Line first!
Marta Bastianelli (UAE Team ADQ) is just behind in second, with Emma Bjerg (Movistar Team Women) placing third.
Wiebes showed once again that she's the most dominant sprinter, consolidating her lead ahead of tomorrow's third and final stage of flat circuits around central London – where she'll also be the favourite.
Congratulations on another stage win, Lorena!
14:45
The final push
With only one kilometre remaining, we're only moments away from confirming our Stage Two winner! The peloton is still moving closely together at this critical point in the race...
14:28
In fine formation
We've hit the business end of Stage Two, with riders now coursing through the final circuit of the race in Epping.
14:15
Second Queen of the Mountains results
1. Anna Henderson (Team Jumbo-Visma)
2. Mie Ottestad (Uno-X Pro Cycling Team)
3. Quinty Ton (Liv Racing Xstra)
4. Coryn Labecki (Team Jumbo-Visma)
Anna Henderson secures the Queen of the Mountains jersey with only 20K to go of Stage Two!
14:00
Ewers caught!
Approximately 105K in and Ewers has been caught!
Ewers only started racing professionally in August 2021, after finishing a surprise third at the American National Championships and taking her first professional win earlier this month.
We're already coming up to the second Queen of the Mountains contest, with everyone coming together for the climb.
13:50
First Queen of the Mountains results
1. Veronica Ewers (EF Education–Tibco–SVB)
2. Anna Henderson (Team Jumbo-Visma)
3. Julia Borgstrom (AG Insurance – NXTG)
4. Eleonora Gasparrini (Valcar Travel & Service)
Henderson clearly wants to defend her jersey as we enter a stretch of the course with very narrow roads and tight corners...
13:45
That's the spirit!
13:40
Second intermediate sprint results
Ewers passes the second intermediate sprint, taking three points and bonus seconds.
1. Veronica Ewers (EF Education–Tibco–SVB)
2. Lorena Wiebes (Team DSM)
3. Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo)
Wiebes clearly wants to grab every bonus second she can, in case she gets dropped on the next hilly circuit. Just like yesterday, Balsamo just missed catching her at the line.
The peloton is now strung out, with Ewers 50 seconds ahead.
13:32
This is what we like to see
13:20
Powering past
We're now heading towards the second intermediate sprint of Stage Two at 92.9K. Who will claim the points this time round?
The riders have received plenty of support from spectators along the course today!
13:17
The crowds await in Epping!
13:12
Throwback to Le Tour
Now at the 80K mark, the peloton is now passing through a section of the course that was used when Le Tour de France started in England in 2014!
13:02
The gap narrows
Ewers' lead was under threat as it closed to only a minute. But now the peloton has lost some of the momentum from the first intermediate sprint and allowed Ewers to continue her solo escapade – she is now two minutes and 25 seconds ahead.
12:40
First intermediate sprint results
Yesterday we saw a fierce battle for the bonus seconds in the first intermediate sprint – and it was the same just now in this race! Here are the results:
1. Veronica Ewers (EF Education–Tibco–SVB)
2. Lorena Wiebes (Team DSM)
3. Chiara Consonni (Valcar Travel & Service)
Ewers takes maximum points out alone while Wiebes reasserts her sprinting dominance after her Stage One victory yesterday. The full peloton, now 62K into the race, is reforming after being temporarily fractured by the sprint.
12:25
Team DSM drives forward
As Ewers moves through Thaxted – a major centre for producing cutlery in medieval times! – the following Peloton is headed by a controlled Team DSM. Francesca Morgans-Slader (AWOL O'Shea), meanwhile, has abandoned the peloton from behind.
12:17
QOM jersey for Jumbo-Visma
Did you follow the action from Stage One? Anna Henderson (Team Jumbo-Visma), maintained the lead until the final few kilometres, when Lorena Wiebes (Team DSM) sped past to be crowned stage victor.
However, having won full points for both Queen of the Mountains in Stage One, she rides resplendent today in the Ford Queen of the Mountains jersey.
12:05
View of Veronica
11:55
Ewers extends the gap
Ewers is now three minutes and 35 seconds ahead of the peloton, which is now 30K into the race – when will the other riders power forward to chase her down? At the moment they seem happy to let Ewers maintain her solo lead...
Ewers is rapidly approaching the Essex village of Finchingfield, which was home to Dodie Smith, author of The Hundred and One Dalmations!
11:40
Ewers maintains her lead
With riders returning to the peloton following the crash, Ewers now has a 58-second advantage over the other riders.
11:30
Veronica Ewers makes an attack
Veronica Ewers (EF Education–Tibco–SVB) has powered ahead and is currently 40 seconds in front of the peloton! But 14K into the race and the peloton is itching to react, with a chase now on to catch Ewers.
Meanwhile, we've just had a crash involving IBCT and AWOL O'Shea.
11:12
The peloton moves through Chelmsford
11:10
Our longest ride
After a 4.9K neutral roll-out , the flag has dropped and we've started racing! Today's stage is 141.7K, making it the longest stage in this year's RideLondon Classique.
The peloton has begun its Stage Two journey riding into a headwind, with Team Jumbo-Visma currently at the front.
11:05
Our riders in jerseys on the Start Line
11:00
We're all go!
The neutral roll-out has started! We're heading out from Anglia Ruskin University today, then zipping out through Chelmsford. Chelmsford was the birthplace of the radio and home to the second-smallest cathedral in England!
10:55
Getting ready to ride
10:45
All set for Stage Two!
Sunshine and cycling – name us a better duo? Spectators will be spoilt as we head into Stage Two of the 2022 RideLondon Classique.
Today is the longest and hilliest stage, starting in Chelmsford and winding round to Epping. There are two intermediate sprints for potentially crucial bonus seconds along the course, and the final chance to get some Queen of the Mountains points. With Lorena Wiebes as the current leader of the General Classification, Team DSM will want to keep things together for another sprint finish, but other teams might be looking to split it up on the hills. It could be a tough and attritional race...
Stage Two of the RideLondon Classique
- Date: Saturday 28 May 2022
- Start: Chelmsford, 11:00
- Finish: Epping, 14:30 – 15:00
- Distance: 141K (eight climbs, 1,368 vertical metres)
An undulating stage that starts in Chelmsford, the county seat of Essex, and heads north towards Finchingfield and Great Dunmow before returning south and culminating in three circuits around Epping Forest, the historic former royal forest that straddles the border of Essex and London. The final circuits will be punctuated by short, sharp climbs to create a thrilling finale.
Where to watch Stage Two
After the riders roll out from Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford, Finchingfield will be a good spot to watch them pass by on the route. Huge crowds headed to the beautiful village to welcome the Tour de France in 2014 and the 2022 Classique will be another chance to watch world-class cycling in a stunning location. To get a roadside view of the finish, head to Epping High Street, where riders will pass by three times.
- Stage Two begins in Chelmsford, the county seat of Essex, the birthplace of radio and the home of the second-smallest Cathedral in England.
The Start Line is at Anglia Ruskin University, where there will be a fan zone for you to spectate and cheer on the cyclists, as well as a traffic-free bike ride for you to join. If you want to be part of this ride, meet the bike marshals in Bell Meadow at 09:30 and join the procession to the University from there. This family-friendly route will allow you to get to the venue easily and in time for the start.
Anglia Ruskin University is also hosting a Family Cycle Festival which will run from 09:30 to 14:00. Activities include Dr Bike checks, smoothie bikes (where you use your pedal power to blend a tasty treat), balance bike try-outs and demonstrations from Radical Bike Trials and Jumps Display Team (at 10:15, 11:45 and 12:30). There will also be plenty of live music and food on offer.
Expected timing:
11:00 - One of Essex’s most picturesque villages, Finchingfield is a great location to see the riders pass at 11:55.
Not only is Finchingfield known for its beautiful views, but it was also the home and burial place of Dodie Smith, whose books include The Hundred and One Dalmatians (1956). She lived in The Barretts at Howe Street, a hamlet in the parish about 1.5 miles (2.4km) from the village.
Huge crowds headed to the beautiful village to welcome the Tour de France in 2014, so the Stage Two of the 2022 RideLondon Classique will be another spectacular opportunity to watch world-class cycling in a stunning location.
Expected timing:
11:58 - The main section of Stage Two takes place in Uttlesford District. On leaving Chelmsford, the riders will cycle through the picturesque villages of Felsted at 11:25, Great Sampford at 12:05, Thaxted at 12:15 and Great Easton at 12:20 before heading towards Great Dunmow, where there will be an intermediate sprint point for classification points.
The riders will then head south through Leaden Roding at 12:45 before heading into Epping Forest District.
Expected timings:
11:25, 12:05, 12:15, 12:23,12:30 and 12:45 - Spectators in Epping will see the peloton tackle two circuits of the town (at 13:20 and 14:20) before a thrilling Finish on the High Street at approximately 14:30, followed by stage presentations.
The stage will also feature three Queen of the Mountains climbs around Epping on a loop the riders will do twice. The first two climbs will take place at Mount End/Tawney Common (with predicted arrival times of 13:30 and 13:50) and the third at Houblons Hill (14:20).
To celebrate the arrival of the RideLondon Classique, a range of festivities have been arranged along Epping High Street, with fan zones and around 20 stalls popping up between 09:00 and 15:00. Families can enjoy the interactive art of pavement chalking, taking place near the Civic Offices on the High Street, and seek bike maintenance advice too. The police will also be bike marking throughout the morning.
Epping has plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants to enjoy before the riders are expected to arrive in the town for the first time at approximately 13:20. Epping is on the London Underground Central Line, with the station just a short walk away from the High Street.
Expected timings:
13:21, 13:29, 13:49, 14:19, 14:22 and 14:33
The route
Check out the full Stage Two route below.
This circuit is very tough with short, steep climbs and very fast sections in between, so there will be very short recovery times which could play into the hands of the General Classification riders. It’s going to be quite a different experience to Stage One and a great prelude to the final stage in London.
Scott Sunderland
Race Director of the RideLondon Classique