Maxim Pokidov from Itera-Katusha saved his leadership in general classification of Friendship of the People of the North Caucasus, finishing 3^rd at today’s second stage of the race.

Today was held second stage of Friendship of the People of theNorth Caucasus– 126 km from Budennovsk to Araeghir.

The stage victory was played by the leader’s group of 20 riders, formatted at second part of the distance. In the sprint Alexander Mironov from RusVelo was the rider, who took the victory, while Sergey Nikolaev from Samara Region and Maxim Pokidov from Itera-Katusha, Russian Global Cycling Project’s continental team, who finished third.

Two more riders of Itera-Katusha finished in Top-10 of the stage: Dmitriy Mokrov did 7^th, while Mamyr Stash did 10^th.

Thanks to third place at today’s stage Maxim Pokidov still holds his overall lead with 5 seconds ahead of Artem Ovechkin from RusVelo, second in GC.

Alexander Evtushenko and Mamyr Stash from Itera-Katusha keep 5^th and 9^th GC positions, respectively.