2016 Tour de France Stage 2 » Saint-Lô › Cherbourg (183k)

Pudsy33

The route

After a thrilling opening sprint yesterday, Mark Cavendish will be looking to defend his yellow jersey on a parcours that will be less favourable to the big men than stage 1. Stage 2 is 183km in length and feature 4 categorised climbs. The real challenge comes right at the end. A small ramp at 8kms to go may act as a launch pad before the riders tackle the tough finishing climb.



The final climb comes in two part. the first part is almost 2kms in length, with an average of 6% and a leg breaking maximum on 14%. After some respite on the short downhill, the riders will take on the final 700m climb to the line, which pitches up at a steady 5%.


The Contenders

Two type of rider could figure today. Firstly, the "fast men who can climb" will be hoping to hang on on the steep stuff and the there to contest the finish. This category includes OBE's Matthews, Edvald Bossan Hagen, and Bryan Coquard from Direct Energie. If they survive the 14% segments, they'll fancy their chances at the finish.

The second type is the "climber with a kick", who will be hoping to rid the peloton of the quick men mentioned above and possible win solo. Look to our own Dan Martin, the evergreen Valverde, and riders like Alexis Vuillermoz, to try and light up the climb and whittle down the group.

There are also a few riders who fit squarely into neither category, but who will be optimistic of a good result. Guys like Allaphillipe, Greg van Avermaet, and world champion Peter Sagan will all find the finale to their liking, and all are capable of winning in a sprint or solo.

Prediction

Martin to attack early, get brought back on the descent, and for Allaphillipe to counter and beat GVA to the line.

Darkglasses

Contador down again and chasing on in the rain. Horrible start for him, personally don't think he'll make the finish. All falling very nicely for Froomey early on.

isitraining

Look who's back! Virenque in a brand new Festina ad!

Hager

Not looking good for Sam unfortunately

DominoDub

If he can get over today he may get the correct feeling in his poor body again ...at least he has other crash victims for company.

spock.

Dan Martin told letour.com this morning: “It might not be hard enough for me. But of course if there is a chance. The idea is to ride to the front to keep out of trouble. I'm more here to compete for the GC and we have another chance in this stage with Julian Alaphilippe. I think this stage suits him better than it suits me.”

Pudsy33

spock. wrote: »

Dan Martin told letour.com this morning: “It might not be hard enough for me. But of course if there is a chance. The idea is to ride to the front to keep out of trouble. I'm more here to compete for the GC and we have another chance in this stage with Julian Alaphilippe. I think this stage suits him better than it suits me.”

He's just lulling the opponents into a false sense of security

Darkglasses

Seriously impressive breakaway win on the cards, 2'16 lead with 9km remaining

ThisRegard

Entertaining stage for only the second day, has the feel of a one day classic.

Darkglasses

1'30 with 4.9km, now Jasper Stuyven up front on his own. Come on!!

spock.

Mechanical for Porte, will do well to limit his losses.

Darkglasses

Richie Porte losing oodles of time with a sloooow wheel change!! :eek:

Inquitus

Poor Richie is screwed, thats harsh luck and not a teammate nearby to help, poor show by BMC.

This breakway rider seems to have a very decent chance here, always good to see one stick!

Darkglasses

Really should be a team-mate there to chuck him a new bike

Darkglasses

Dan and Alaphillipe in a lovely position!

ThisRegard

Darkglasses wrote: »

Richie Porte losing oodles of time with a sloooow wheel change!! :eek:

Those Mavic guys just don't get the practice.

ThisRegard

He's pulled out 30 seconds on that climb, that's good going.

Edit, makes no sense as he was only 30 seconds 500 metres ago.

Darkglasses

1'06 over Cavendish but not the main group sadly, stupid graphic.

spock.

What a finish! Sagan finally gets his win.

eagle eye

Cygan is just awesome.

Darkglasses

Froome looked to get into the top 10? Lots of splits, another good day for him

WinnyThePoo

No Carlton the graphics weren't wrong. You somehow misread them.

Great for Regan.

Pudsy33

eagle eye wrote: »

Cygan is just awesome.

Pascal?

Darkglasses

Sagan into yellow?

ThisRegard

Darkglasses wrote: »

1'06 over Cavendish but not the main group sadly, stupid graphic.

That explains it, I was thinking he must have done some effort on the climb to double the time gap he had.

Missed the earlier bit of the stage, it was mentioned that Contador had a double tumble, does he mean he fell twice today, or are they counting yesterday as the first?

JK.BMC

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Pascal?

Carl even?

pajor

Darkglasses wrote: »

Sagan into yellow?

Yup. For the first time ever.

Also his first TDF stage win in 3 years!

Inquitus

Alaphilippe went a bit too early, there, youthful exuberance, good finish though, did any of the GC guys lose time to Froome? Poor Richie aside who got shafted?

Darkglasses

sullivlo

JK.BMC wrote: »

Carl even?

Peter?

Darkglasses

Inquitus wrote: »

Alaphilippe went a bit too early, there, youthful exuberance, good finish though, did any of the GC guys lose time to Froome? Poor Richie aside who got shafted?

I reckon Contador might have too

spock.

Sagan didn't even know he won!

JK.BMC

Seriously though- that was a truly brilliant finishing spectacle. Top 15 or so was a who's-who of puncheurs and GC men. And some top contenders losing time. Goes to show the very obvious value of a well organised team when the real sh1t hits the fan in the finale; Kreuziger won it for Sagan.

sullivlo

Dan at +14/10th place on leaderboard

Inquitus

sullivlo wrote: »

Dan at +14/10th place on leaderboard

Thats Sagan's 10s time bonus from today for 1dt and the 4s one from 3rd yesterday.

DominoDub

You have to wonder does Sagan understand the History he is making ..he comes across like .."I just ride my bike..Oh did I win ..and Yellow Cool" .:cool:

StevieGriff

Had Dan at 40/1 each way for today, the fe*ker.

ednwireland

good to see sam bennet in, some fight to finish today

Darkglasses

isitraining

So Sagan was racing for 3rd place! What would he have done if he'd known it was for yellow!

Inquitus

General classification after stage 2

• # Rider Name (Country) Team Result
• 1 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff Team 8:34:42
• 2 Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Etixx - Quick-Step 0:00:08
• 3 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team 0:00:10
• 4 Warren Barguil (Fra) Team Giant-Alpecin 0:00:14
• 5 Christopher Froome (GBr) Team Sky
• 6 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team
• 7 Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar Team
• 8 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Tinkoff Team
• 9 Simon Gerrans (Aus) Orica-BikeExchange
• 10 Daniel Martin (Irl) Etixx - Quick-Step

Burial.

A very bittersweet day for Tinkoff Saxo

Inquitus

Sagan is probably safe in Yellow until Friday's stage you'd think, unless a break is given some leeway which is unlikely. You'd expect a small GC Group to take off up the Col d'Aspin and contest both the finish and yellow jersey on Friday,.

Pudsy33

Wednesday is tough enough no? Although maybe not enough to hamper Sagan

Inquitus

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Wednesday is tough enough no? Although maybe not enough to hamper Sagan

Agreed, potential for him to give it up here depending how it's ridden, given his performance in the Tour of California the other year, I think he has it in him to keep it through this day, if he's inclined, we shall see!

Brian?

Inquitus wrote: »

Agreed, potential for him to give it up here depending how it's ridden, given his performance in the Tour of California the other year, I think he has it in him to keep it through this day, if he's inclined, we shall see!

I have a feeling there'll be too many attacks on that stage for Sagan to hold on.