Stage 2 - Sunday, July 3: Challans - Les Essarts, 181.5 km
The first road stage of the Tour hugs the west coast for about half the stage before heading inland...
The first road stage of the Tour hugs the west coast for about half the stage before heading inland for the finish in Les Essarts, a town associated with battles during the French Revolution. There's sure to be a battle royale going on at about 5pm on Sunday as Davitamon-Lotto's Robbie McEwen, Quickstep's Tom Boonen and Credit Agricole's Thor Hushovd have their first hit-out at the end of this flat stage, which shouldn't pose too many problems for any of the riders. There'll most likely be a surprise race leader on Sunday evening as most GC riders stay safely tucked away in the middle of the bunch, allowing the showmen to have their time in the sun.
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Most Popular
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Lotte Kopecky subbed into SD Worx-Protime Trofeo Alfredo Binda squad
World champion late replacement for injured Van den Broek-Blaak, bolsters team challenge to three-time winners Lidl-Trek -
'I missed out delivering the result the team deserved' - Pedersen gutted with fourth at Milan-San Remo
Lidl-Trek impressed as a team but Dane finished fourth in Via Roma sprint -
Jasper Philipsen: 'I begged Mathieu not to work with Pogačar because I had great legs' in Milan-San Remo
'Oh how I would have loved to have ridden to the finish with Tadej,' admits world champion Van der Poel -
Tour de Normandie: Lauren Stephens takes solo win on stage 3
Van Dijk leads by one second ahead of final stage