Cunego crashes, finishes on team-mate's bike

The Lampre team's general classification hopeful Damiano Cunego had a rocky finish on stage two. The Italian tangled with Quick Step's Matteo Carrara just inside the three kilometre to go mark, which meant Cunego lost no time due to the wreck. He did, however, have to finish on the bike of his faithful team-mate Paolo Tiralongo.

"The speed was high and because of a sudden movement in the bunch I hit Carrara," Cunego explained. "Matteo has no fault. Anyway, I fell and my rear wheel got broken. Luckily the crash took place at three kilometres to go and I had no consequences. All my team-mates helped me immediately: Tiralongo gave me his bike, Ballan and the others supported me towards the finish," the Italian explained.

The quick action allowed Cunego to roll across the line in 117th place, one minute behind stage winner Thor Hushovd. Fortunately for him, the race jury neutralized the gap and awarded Cunego the same time. He now sits in 43rd place overall just seven seconds behind Alejandro Valverde.