Stage 2 of the Czech Tour covers 155 km from Mladá Boleslav to the iconic Ještěd television tower, a summit finish that will select the pure climbers and eliminate any sprinters or rouleurs. The 2.Pro-rated stage race attracts several riders using the event as Vuelta preparation, elevating the quality of the field. Whoever climbs best on the day will take the stage and likely seize overall leadership.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Mikel Landa stands alone at the top of this field. His climbing stat of 79 is four points clear of the next best, and as a Legendary card he represents a different class from the rest of the startlist. Vuelta-bound and motivated, he is expected to dominate on the Ještěd climb.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Mikel Landa tops the startlist with the highest climbing stat (79) and is a Legendary-rarity card, making him the clear favorite on this mountain finish to Ještěd. Using the Czech Tour as Vuelta preparation, he brings Grand Tour-level climbing pedigree that should overwhelm this 2.Pro field.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Jordan Jegat and Jan Hirt both sit at 76 and 75 climbing respectively and back it up with the deepest form records in the field for mountain finishes. Jegat's 11-race sample and Hirt's home-race motivation make them the most trustworthy picks behind Landa for a podium place.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Jan Hirt carries a climbing stat of 75 and solid recent form (avg 15.7 over 7 climbing races, best of 9th), and is heading to the Vuelta after this race, suggesting he's in peak condition. The Czech rider will be highly motivated racing on home roads.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Jordan Jegat posts the second-highest climbing rating (76) and leads all riders with meaningful form data, averaging 15.5 across 11 similar-profile races with a best of 7th. His consistent presence in mountain finishes makes him a reliable contender for the podium.
★★
Dark Horses
Jack Haig, Jan Castellon, and Luca Covili all carry climbing scores in the 73–75 range and offer genuine upset potential. Castellon's best result of 2nd in similar races is the standout data point, while Covili's consistency and Haig's all-round numbers keep all three firmly in contention for a top-five finish.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Jack Haig matches Hirt's climbing stat of 75 and brings strong all-round numbers including a Hills score of 76, well suited to this mountain finish. His recent form in similar profiles has been inconsistent (avg 42.2) but his raw ability warrants a dark horse spot.
Caja Rural
Caja Rural
Jan Castellon has a climbing score of 75 and is the best performer in terms of podium finishes among riders with form data, recording a 2nd-place best result across 9 climbing races. His avg of 22.4 masks that top-end potential on the right day.
Bardiani CSF
Bardiani CSF
Luca Covili (CLB 73) shows solid consistency in mountain-finish races with a best of 5th and an average of 18.4 across 7 events, making him one of the better-supported form picks. He provides a genuine threat if the race fragments on the final climb to Ještěd.
★
Ones to Watch
Mauri Vansevenant, Marco Frigo, Alessandro Verre, and Alessandro Fancellu are the outsiders to watch. Fancellu's recent 6th in a mountain-finish race is eye-catching, while Vansevenant's Hills stat of 76 suggests he thrives on punchy terrain. Frigo and Verre are stat-backed wildcards who could feature if the race breaks up early.
MBH Bank CSB
MBH Bank CSB
Alessandro Fancellu leads all riders in recent similar-profile form with an average finishing position of 6.0, albeit across just one race. The MBH Bank CSB climber (CLB 73) is one to watch if he can replicate that result on the Ještěd ascent.
MBH Bank CSB
MBH Bank CSB
Alessandro Verre matches the 74 climbing mark and is confirmed in the startlist with upcoming Czech Tour listed, though recent form in one climbing race (avg 34.0) is limited. His stats put him in the conversation on paper even if he remains an unknown quantity.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Marco Frigo (CLB 74) also brings a strong time trial stat of 73, suggesting he can handle varied terrain and won't lose time in transition stages leading into this finish. Worth watching as a potential breakaway option or late accelerator.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Mauri Vansevenant combines a climbing stat of 73 with an impressive Hills score of 76, suggesting he's best suited when the terrain features rolling gradients before the summit. With Landa as Soudal's leader, Vansevenant could profit if the race splits.
Verdict
Mikel Landa is the overwhelming favorite given his Legendary status and climbing rating of 79, with Jordan Jegat and Jan Hirt as the most credible challengers based on a combination of raw stats and recent form in mountain-finish races.