07.06.05. Etape 2 - Givors to Chauffailles - 187km
Seems like we've been travelling for a few weeks not a day. Travelling overnight is a bit risky especially when the ferries are running late. But we got here with about enough time to run to the crowd barriers as we managed to 'bump' into the race at the last corner. Unlike the Tour this is pretty low key and the Gendarmes are way more relaxed about parking and where to stand.
We're deep in the heart of Burgundy, where both the vines and the farmers are ruddy and windswept... through the idyllic countryside came a breakaway of 4 french riders, so the crowd (mainly of ruddy French farmers) seemed very happy.
Not so Lance, George and Discovery as they were chasing hard at about 3 minutes, hitting this corner at top speed... Pretty exciting stuff seeing as we just stumbled on it. So now in the press room which feels a little like I should be putting up my hand and asking for a fresh piece of paper. Exciting? oh yes. (BTW the picture is for the benefit of the slackers in the RCUK office who think I'm on a jolly, which of course I am)
Stage Result:
1. Samuel Dumoulin (A2R - FRA) 4:47:06
2. Anthony Charteau (BTL - FRA) @ st
3. Frederic Finot (FDJ - FRA)
4. Frederic Bessey (COF - FRA)
5. Robert Hunter and Peloton @ 3:16
Magnus Backstedt and Dimitri De Fauw came in last some 18:47 back.
Overall GC:
1. Samuel Dumoulin (A2R - FRA) 4:47:06
2. Frederic Finot (FDJ - FRA) @ 20 secs
3. Anthony Charteau (BTL - FRA) @ 20 secs
4. Frederic Bessey (COF - FRA ) @ 28 secs
5. George Hincapie (DSC - USA) @ 3:06
We're off to the hills of Roanne and the Lac de Villerest for tomorrow's 47 km ITT. Lance's plan of winning are far from over, but never under-estimate the power of a yellow jersey on the back of a Frenchman. Check back for more tomorrow...
More pictures in the Gallery
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