Arensman and Bernal sprint to top four on stage two in the Alps

Thymen Arensman claimed second on stage two of Tour of the Alps, with a tight sprint finish also seeing Egan Bernal take fourth place.

Arensman and Bernal sprinted from a five up group, including winner Giulio Pellizzari, Aleksandr Vlasov (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe) and Mattia Gaffuri (Team Picnic PostNL) after a decisive hilltop finish.

A nine-rider breakaway animated the early part of the race, while strong work from Nicolas Milesi in the peloton helped position the team ahead of the final kilometres.

Inside the final 6km, Victor Langellotti drove the pace at the front, with Peter Oxenberg taking over to keep the pressure on as the race approached the final kicker to the finish.

Arensman was perfectly placed and made his move at the front of the peloton, launching clear alongside Lorenzo Finn (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe) and Pellizzari. As the trio pushed on, Pellizzari accelerated to bridge across to Gaffuri, one of the last remaining riders from the original break.

After being distanced on the climb, Egan Bernal showed strong determination to fight back and rejoin Arensman, forming a select group at the front. With 1.5km remaining, the leaders came together, catching both Gaffuri and Pellizzari to set up a five-rider sprint for the stage win.

Arensman held his composure in the final metres, sprinting to a well-earned second place after a committed and attacking ride, with Bernal following home in fourth.

The Dutchman now also sits second on the general classification, with Bernal in fifth ahead of another mountainous stage tomorrow.