Initially, there will be plenty of hoopla around the yellow jersey: whether it’s Cavendish or Kittel, we should expect the race to unfold in exactly the same way, and the same goes if Sagan has it. That’s because this second stage is a real rollercoaster ride: the Col de la Serra and Col de Vizzavona, followed, at the end, by the Côte du Salario. If you ask me, this parcours is going to cause some real damage! The sprinters will bail out one after another. I even think a team leader who is not in the best of condition ? I’m thinking of how Evans was last year ? could see all of their hopes dashed on this stage, before sinking altogether on the stage that follows, on a course where it will be even harder to hide away…
Well yesterday was a mess… Crashes, buses, flying boats… Standard tour stuff really.
There was several crashes near the finish. This one was caused by Andre Greipel trying to squeeze through a small gap which derailed the Omega Pharma Quick Step team including Tony Martin (bloody, but calm in the middle) and Mark Cavendish. Tony Martin abandoned the race – not confirmed.
StefMcDef goes to the head of the field in the Fantasy league, with 4 people in joint first place in the loser league. Interestingly enough, Hoppy’s loser team has more points than StefMcDef’s winning team. Early days though..
Looks like a stage for a breakaway win to me, enough lumps to break the sprinters and a downhill second half that won’t help the bunch chase. Lets be romantic and say David Millar to get into a big breakaway and to finish well.
Still not too late for Cav to get yellow?? With the last summit 60k out from the finish and a flat final 5 I think it’s doable. What’s the smiley for “hopeful, fingers and toes crossed”?
To me this has a breakaway win written all over it. Sprinters won’t be able to get back on even with their teams. A breakaway rider will need only a second to get the stage and yellow so I expect some suicidal attacks. Relatively unknown rider from a small team. Nothing to lose biggest career win the possibility.
I’m amazed that the bus driver didn’t kill anyone the way he reversed the bus back off the line. I can only presume they let Benny Hill take the wheel for the day..
Looks good today. I have no idea how to call it. That last lump may just be the decider. Could be anybodies. Hope Cav can hold on in the climbs but everyone going to think it’s their day.
Looking forward to this, though it’s going to be another late night down under. I can’t see pure sprinters making it to the finish first, so I’m going to go for an all-rounder who’s a good descender and is no threat to the GC (which rules out Cadel): Sagan or Gilbert or a French chancer.
Interesting interview with Simon Gerrans who reckons it will be a bunch sprint: after the 2 cat climb the road is wide and not too twisty and the final climb is only 1km.
andre gets the intermediate – cav just limiting damage ? – doesnt seem to be hitting the famous cav after burners – or is sagan just upped his game this year…. gripel did make them look stupid though – you guys are racing but im just going to ride up the side of you guys.
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