Stage 2 of the 2014 Tour de France ended with some serious bike racing among the favorites along with a favorite sprinter, Peter Sagan (Cannondale). Surprisingly difficult for such an early stage, with 9 categorized climbs and 12,000 feet of ascent! Stage 2 offered a chance for a GC favorite to gain or lose time.
When Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) jumped with his attack from the back, none of the other GC contenders followed. Possibly because they didn’t want to haul Sagan to the finish only to have him out-sprint them for the win and possibly because it is only Stage 2 and way too early to burn that many matches.
Besides when it was all said and done Nibali’s lead is a mere two seconds on his GC rivals. Still, it was a great bit of racing by Nibali who has had a disappointing spring. Today’s stage win, his first, will be a confidence booster.
I continue to be amazed by the huge throngs of people lining the course during these first two stages! Reportedly England is putting up the largest number of fans to ever watch the Tour and most likely any bike race. Huge crowds everywhere and narrow roads make for a jittery peloton, but beautiful scenes for us fans. Stage 3 is the last stage in England; starting in Cambridge and finishing in London.
These photos are from Getty Images:
Typically I’m more a fan of autumn bike rides than spring due to the strong winds that accompany the warm temperatures of spring. Especially here in tornado alley. Today was as pretty a spring day as I can imagine having and without the strong wind. Add to that an unusually clear blue sky and it was a day to rival the best of days in October.
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