Published on : 08/29/2026
Following Martina Alzini’s victory in Quarrata yesterday, Cofidis started Stage 2 of the Giro Toscana with the pink leader’s jersey. After a well-controlled day by the team, Victoire Berteau took 4th place and moved up to 5th in the general classification.
Stage 2 featured 116.8 km around Segromigno in Piano. The course was relatively flat until Valgiano, a 5.9 km climb at 4.3% in the final part of the race.
A breakaway formed early in the race, with Cofidis quickly taking responsibility for controlling the gap. Kristyna Burlova and Zoé Bihan were particularly active in the chase, helping the peloton catch the last riders from the breakaway at the foot of the main climb.
The acceleration on Valgiano then made the difference. Back racing after her injury, Victoire Berteau stayed with the best riders and secured a strong 4th place. She also moved up to 5th overall, 43 seconds behind the pink jersey.
Martina Alzini gave up the leader’s jersey but retained the lead in the points classification ahead of the final stage.
Reaction:
Gaëtan Lemoine, Sports Director:
“We found ourselves in a fairly favourable situation today, with around 100 kilometres of relatively flat racing before one climb in the final. The girls rode really well throughout the day. A breakaway formed and we controlled it well with Kristyna Burlova and our trainee Zoé Bihan, who did a great job to help bring the break back at the foot of the climb.
We then wanted to try to compete with the best riders on the climb, but we simply came up against stronger riders today. We went over the top around 45 seconds behind, which was almost the same gap at the finish.
I’m pleased with the team effort. We took responsibility as the race leaders and all the girls played their part to put Victoire and Nadia in the best possible position. There is still one stage to go tomorrow and we’ll try to go for another stage victory.”
