Stage 2 reactions

Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana): The Kazakh GC favourite was fortunate enough to avoid the late stage crash, and came across the line blessing himself. A relieved Vinokourov said, "It's always the same stress in the peloton. And the rain didn't help us at all. I hope it will be better these next days. I'm lucky not to have been involved in the massive fall just before the finish line. But I had to brake very hard."

Francisco Ventoso (Saunier-Duval): The team of the red bird's sprinter hasn't had much luck these past two days. In stage one, he was about to start his sprint when Robbie McEwen brushed past, and today he fell victim to the wreck at the two kilometre mark. "I just couldn't avoid the crash. I tried to brake, but there was nowhere I could ride through. And even if I'd managed to stay on my bike, I would've been caught by those coming behind. I was feeling good and confident, well-placed, but this is what you expect of this kind of finales. I fell on my bike, and I think most of my injuries came from hitting it. I've injured my knee and my elbow, and my hand hurts badly, I can't rest it on a table. But I'm really worried about my hip. I hope it's nothing serious, but I can tell I'm having a hard time walking."

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