Ok so far we've had the many crashes in the final part of stage one. Then the wet and slippery roads of yesterday's small hills. So what does today's stage of the Tour de France hold?
Well over 7 different sections there are 13.2km of cobbles in the final 90 km of the route from Wanze to Arenberg.
But like yesterday the roads aren't unknown to the pros. Yesterday is was the Liege-Baston-Liege classic that had the nod, today it is Paris-Robaix. The last of the 7 sections of cobbles in 2300m worth up to 10km from the finish. But the three sections before are 2400m followed pretty soon by 2500m then the longest 3700m before the final stretch.
It will lead to another interesting day in the Peleton for the racers. However, there have been rumours overnight about some of the casualties of yesterday and whether they will start or not. American sprinter Tyler Farrar is one who is is rumoured to be making the start line later despite fracturing his wrist in the falls yesterday. His compatriot Christian van de Velde is not so lucky as he tweeted:
"Laying in bed beat down, full of painkillers. Thanks for all the well wishes. I am gutted to have to leave in this fashion"
We wish him a full and rapid recovery from his cracked ribs. Although both the Schleck brothers despite being two of many who were heavily scarred from yesterday's going ons will drag themselves to the start line.
The only real winner of yesterday was Frenchman Sylvain Chavanel who was in the breakaway and stayed ahead of the neutralised peleton to secure enough seconds to take yellow as well as enough points to become the points leader as well, because his points did count as he was ahead of the neutered race.
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