The second stage of the 2021 Women’s Tour saw riders take on a kermesse-style race around Walsall. The riders began at the arboretum in town before heading out to Barr Beacon for 9 laps of action. The lap was rolling with a noticeable climb each lap up to the beacon itself. Attacks were frequent, especially with sprints for QoM and Sprint points (and the bonus seconds for GC) taking place at regular intervals. There were lots of mini splits but eventually, on the last lap, a group finally got away and stayed away. They would contest the sprint, with SD Worx’s Amy Pieters overtaking FDJ’s Clara Copponi to take the stage win. Clara Copponi takes the race leader’s jersey by virtue of stage countback. Today’s stage also saw the end of Lucy Kennedy’s career. She came out of her recent retirement to take part in the Women’s Tour but got off the bike on today’s stage.
