Molano Keeps CRO Race Lead After Stage 2 Podium Finish

Klaus Schmidt · 2026-09-24

### Molano Holds Onto the Leader's Jersey Sebastián Molano isn't letting go of that leader's jersey just yet. The Colombian rider finished third on Stage 2 of the CRO Race in Novalja, keeping himself at the top of the general classification after his win on the opening day. It was a short, fast stage — just 71 miles (114.5km) from Biograd na Moru to Novalja. And honestly, those short stages can be trickier than the long ones. Everyone's fresh, everyone's hungry, and the pace stays high from start to finish. Molano was right there in the mix when it mattered. That's what counts. ### Wellens Makes His Move in the GC Battle Here's where things get interesting. UAE Team Emirates-XRG didn't just sit back and let the sprinters have all the fun. Tim Wellens picked up valuable bonus seconds along the way, making an early statement in the general classification fight. It's a smart play. While everyone's watching the sprinters battle it out for stage wins, Wellens is quietly stacking up time. That's how you win a stage race — by thinking a few days ahead. ### Why This Stage Mattered More Than It Looked On paper, a 114.5km stage doesn't seem like much. But here's the thing about the CRO Race: - Short stages mean higher intensity from the gun - Bonus seconds become crucial in tight GC battles - Sprinters and GC riders both have opportunities to shine - Positioning matters more than raw power Molano showed he can handle the pressure of wearing the leader's jersey. That's not always easy. Some riders crack under the weight of defending. He didn't. ### What's Next for the CRO Race The race continues, and the GC picture is far from settled. Wellens has shown he's willing to fight for every second. Other teams will be watching closely now. For Molano, the goal is simple: keep the jersey as long as possible. Every stage he holds it is a win for him and his team. But cycling has a way of flipping the script when you least expect it. "You take it day by day," riders often say. And in a race like this, that's really all you can do. The battle between the fast men and the GC contenders is just getting started. And if Stage 2 was any indication, we're in for a wild ride.