Molano Keeps CRO Race Lead After Another Podium Finish

Klaus Schmidt · 2026-09-24

### Molano Holds Onto Leader's Jersey After Stage 2 Podium Sebastián Molano isn't letting go of that leader's jersey just yet. The Colombian sprinter finished third on Stage 2 of the CRO Race in Novalja, keeping the overall lead after his victory on the opening day. It wasn't a win, but it was exactly what he needed to stay ahead. ### The Stage: Short, Fast, and Unforgiving The 114.5km route from Biograd na Moru to Novalja was never going to be a leisurely ride. Short stages like this tend to be explosive—everyone's fresh, the pace is relentless, and there's no time to recover. Molano was right in the thick of it when the sprint kicked off, but he had to settle for third as others timed their efforts better. Still, third place earns valuable points and, more importantly, no time lost. In a race like this, consistency matters more than any single result. ### Wellens Makes a Quiet Move in the GC Battle While the spotlight was on the sprinters, Tim Wellens was busy doing what he does best: quietly positioning himself for the overall. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider picked up bonus seconds along the way, which could prove crucial later in the race. It's the kind of move that doesn't make headlines but often decides the final standings. Wellens isn't a pure climber or a pure sprinter—he's a versatile rider who can survive almost any terrain. That makes him dangerous in a race like the CRO Race, where the margins are tight and every second counts. ### What This Means for the Rest of the Race Molano's grip on the leader's jersey is solid, but it's not unbreakable. The upcoming stages will likely offer more opportunities for GC riders to shake things up. If Wellens continues to chip away at bonus seconds, he could find himself in contention before long. For Molano, the goal is simple: keep finishing near the front and avoid any disasters. He doesn't need to win every stage—he just needs to stay consistent. ### The Bigger Picture Stage races are a chess match. Winning the opening stage gives you an early advantage, but holding onto it requires patience, teamwork, and a bit of luck. Molano has the first two. The third? Well, that's out of anyone's control. As the race moves on, keep an eye on how the sprinters' teams manage their energy. The CRO Race is short, but it's intense. One bad day can undo everything. For now, Molano wears the leader's jersey, and Wellens lurks just behind. The next few stages should tell us a lot about who's really in this for the long haul.