Paris - Nice, March 8, Stage 2: Contres/Commentry *SPOILERS*

Melodeon

Date: Tuesday 8th March
Type: Flat
Distance: 215.5Km
Start/Finish: Contres/Commentry


Stage location:



Stage map:



Profile:



Last 5km:



The General Classification after Stage 1:



Preview (© www.letour.com):

With only one third category climb on the route of the 213.5-km second stage, a sprint looks likely in the streets of Commentry. Still it should be a very different finish from stage 1 in Vendome, which saw Frenchman Arnaud Demare (FDJ) beat Briton Ben Swift (Sky) and compatriot Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis). The gravel sectors in yesterday's finale claimed their toll and Demare's victory came over a depleted peloton while a mass sprint looks more probable today. While Demare, Bouhanni, Swift but also yellow jersey holder Michael Matthews (Orica Greenedge) showed great form, the likes of Marcel Kittel (Etixx Quicks Tep) and Alexander Kristoff (Katusha), both dropped in Monday's finale, will be eager to set the record straight. Trains should form in the last 50 kilometers after the day's lone climb unless weather conditions decide otherwise. Snow is scheduled over most of France on Tuesday and winds could blow as they did on stage 1, leading to echelons that might have been sound warnings for many.

LIVE TV:
Eurosport 1 - 3.00pm

HIGHLIGHTS:
Eurosport 2 - 6:00pm & 8.30pm

Melodeon

For the Francophones among us, here's the official Livre De Route (27MB .pdf):
http://velorooms.com/roadbooks/2016/PN2016%20-%20Livre%20de%20route.pdf

MPFGLB

Talanksy lost alot of time today

Wonder if Bevin will lead Cannondale given Rolland is further down

D9Male

I would say Rolland. As he is only 41s down. Failing that, Craddock or Slagter would have more pedigree.

MPFGLB

NicosDiary : http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/cycling/nicolas-roche-i-hit-the-front-in-the-crosswinds-and-split-the-bunch-in-two-34520028.html

MPFGLB

Ha ha ...Sean saying Boonen is getting soft because he wanted to stop the race yesterday

MPFGLB

Ooohhh Controversial sprint finish there between Michael Matthews & Nacer Bouhanni

Correct person won in my book

And where were EQS and Kittel

Melodeon

Not sure what Sean was watching with his "sticking out the elbow" bit!
Bouhanni threw his whole body into that