Italian Cyclist Federico Iacomoni Wins Stage 2 of Tour of Armenia

YEREVAN — Italian cyclist Federico Iacomoni of Team Ukyo won the second stage of the international professional Tour of Armenia, edging Leonardo Vesco of Biesse-Carrera-Premac by just a few millimeters at the finish.

On the second day of the race, cyclists representing 16 teams from around the world covered the approximately 177-kilometer route from Kirants to Stepanavan. Iacomoni completed the stage in 4 hours, 19 minutes and 46 seconds, averaging 40.882 km/h.

After taking the podium, Iacomoni dedicated the victory to his grandmother, Tekla, who died earlier this week.

“I came to Armenia with the goal of winning a stage and dedicating it to my grandmother, Tekla, who unfortunately passed away this week, just before I left,” Iacomoni said. “I was unsure whether I should participate in the Tour of Armenia, but then I decided to race in her memory—and I did it.”

The dramatic stage also reshuffled the overall standings of the new UCI Europe Tour event. Alexander Balmer of Solution Tech Nippo Rali took the red leader’s jersey from Poland’s Michal Pomorski, the winner of the previous stage.

Stage 2 began in the small village of Kirants in Armenia’s Tavush Province, known for its seventh-century monastic complex. Khoren Zargaryan, executive director of the Sports Management Center, officially launched the stage.

Stage 2 Results — Kirants to Stepanavan

1. Federico Iacomoni (Team Ukyo) — 177 km in 4:19:46; average speed 40.882 km/h; 10-second time bonus
2. Leonardo Vesco (Biesse-Carrera-Premac) — same time; 7-second time bonus
3. Kevin Bill (General Store-Essegibi-F.lli Curia) — +28 seconds; 4-second time bonus

Tour of Armenia 2026 — Overall Standings

1. Alexander Balmer (Solution Tech Nippo Rali) — 6:55:02
2. Michal Pomorski (Att Investments) — +4 seconds
3. Fletcher Medway (Netcompany Ineos Racing Academy) — +8 seconds

Balmer, who also leads the points classification, said his team had targeted the second stage before the Tour began as an opportunity to secure the red jersey.

“Unfortunately, I couldn’t catch the leading group to fight for the stage victory as well, but I’m happy to be the new leader and to also wear the orange jersey,” Balmer said. “It would be great to keep it all the way to Yerevan, but tomorrow will be difficult because I’m a little heavy for the final climb, which is really designed for pure climbers. We’ll see.”

The third stage is expected to be one of the most scenic and decisive of the Tour. The 162-kilometer route will begin in Martuni, Gegharkunik Province, and conclude with an uphill finish near Dilijan, featuring approximately 1,700 meters of elevation gain.

Considered the queen stage of the Tour of Armenia, it could prove decisive in determining the overall winner. The route will follow the western shore of Lake Sevan before heading toward the high-altitude Lake Parz, several kilometers outside Dilijan.

An intermediate sprint is scheduled at kilometer 99.2. The first categorized climb, Semyonovka, will conclude at kilometer 131.3, with 30.7 kilometers remaining. A long descent will then lead riders to the final 4.6-kilometer climb, which has an average gradient of 7 percent and sections reaching as steep as 12 percent.

The Tour of Armenia is being broadcast internationally through platforms including HBO Max, Disney+, ESPN, FloSports, Okko, SBS, SPO TV and Zhibo TV.