Two days, two dramatically different courses - same result. Vassili Davidenko (Navigators Insurance) took the second stage of the Tour of Connecticut almost as easily as he took the first. The “almost” is because on Saturday, he had to climb nearly 8000 feet in 60 miles to win.

Race leader Vassili Davidenko (Navigators) cornering

Photo: Casey B. Gibson

Still, while he conceded that his form “is good,” Davidenko added that the victory “was about my team.”

After a flurry of early attacks, the race found its rhythm - steady-hard at the front, attrition at the back. TIAA-CREF’s Timmy Duggan took off on his own on the third of 15 laps and stayed away for eight. Navigators went to the front to bring Duggan back, and with five laps remaining, it was game on. The lead pack, numbering around 30 was all together.

Davide Frattini (Colavita-Sutter Home) and Baldwin in the break

Photo: Casey B. Gibson

Navigators, probably the best-represented team in the group, set the pace on the climbs, trying to split the field. The attacks started coming.

With two to go, the lead foursome looked secure: Davide Frattini (Colavita-Sutter Home), with Dominique Perras (Kodak-Sierra Nevada), Davidenko, and Davidenko’s teammate Chris Baldwin.

The Navs' Oleg Grichkine leads the peloton

Photo: Casey B. Gibson

On the final lap, Baldwin set a hard pace coming off the hill, setting up the sprint perfectly for Davidenko, who jumped out of the last corner and won going away.

Many believed this be the decisive stage of the race. But Sunday’s stage, at 137 miles, could easily upset the general-classification applecart.

Tim Johnson (Jittery Joe's) heads down the descent

Photo: Casey B. Gibson

Tour of Connecticut
Stage 2 results
1. Vassili Davidenko, Navigators, 60 miles in 2:39:55
2. 2. Davide Frattini, Colavita-Sutter Home, same time
3. Chris Baldwin,Navigators, s.t.
4. Dominique Perras, Kodak-Sierra Nevada, s.t.
5. 5. Oleg Grichkine, Navigators, at 0:31
6. Charles Dionne, Webcor, s.t.
7. Mark Walters, Navigators, s.t.
8. Mike Dietrich, Fior di Fruitta, s.t.
9. Ben Jacques-Maynes, Kodak-Sierra Nevada, s.t.
10. Tyler Wren, Colavita-Sutter Home, s.t.

Overall (after 2 stages)
1. Vassili Davidenko, Navigators, 3:57:11
2. Davide Frattini, Colavita-Sutter Home, 3:57:27
3. Chris Baldwin, Navigators, 3:57:31
4. Dominique Perras, Kodak-Sierra Nevada, 3:57:35
5. Oleg Grichkine, Navigators, 3:58:06
6. Charles Dionne, Webcor, s.t.
7. Mark Walters, Navigators, s.t.
8. Mike Dietrich, Fior di Fruitta, s.t.
9. Ben Jacques Maynes, Kodak-Sierra Nevada, s.t.
10. Tyler Wren, Colavita-Sutter Home, s.t.

Sprint leader: Sebastian Alexandre, Colavita-Sutter Home
KoM leader: Dominique Perras, Kodak-Sierra Nevada