Stage 2: From Griepel first up to 17th
The potential chaos for chaos in Stage 2 duly arrived with wind and rain ripping the peloton to pieces with some of the overall contenders notably Nibali, Quintana and Pinot losing significant time on Froome, Contador and Van Garderen. First of the leading contenders is Van Garderen on 44''. He is followed by Froome (48''), Contador (1 minute), Pinot (2'07"), Nibali (2'09"), Valverde (2'22") and Quintana (2'27").
However, a rider like Nibali, may well make up some or all of this deficit on tomorrow's cobbled stage to Cambrai.
Despite having plenty of team mates in the leading group Mark Cavendish didn't win the sprint coming in fourth after André Griepel, Peter Sagan and Fabian Cancellara. Mark afterwards complained that Mark Renshaw, normally such a reliable leadout man, had peeling off too early leaving him to sprint 300 metres rather than his preferred 200 metres. Mark's fourth place and Cancellara's third meant that Tony Martin missed out on the Yellow Jersey as Fabian's bonus seconds put him in Yellow instead.
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Stage 3: Antwerp to Huy
Profile of Stage 3 with plenty of sharp climbs
towards end of stage finishing with Mur de Huy
The tough end to Stage 2 could see further time gaps between some of the overall contenders as the stage ends with the ascent of the Mur de Huy with an average gradient of 9% but with parts up to around 20%. This climb features in the La Flèche Wallonne won this year by Alejandro Valverde, who must fancy his chances for a repeat performance today.
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