The essential
- This second stage of the Grande Boucle links Perros-Guirec and Mûr-de-Bretagne (183 km), via a route again favorable to puncheurs. The final double ascent promises an explanation as muscular as that of yesterday in the Fosse aux Loups.
- Winner of the first stage, Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) left Perros-Guirec with the yellow jersey on his shoulders for the 18th time in his career.
- Six difficulties are now listed in the mountain classification, including the final ascent of the now classic Mûr-de-Bretagne (2 km at 6.9%).
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Follow the second stage of the Tour live:
110km. Anthony Perez collects. The Frenchman from Cofidis took the lead at the top of the bump after a well-managed sprint and recovered 1 point, which allowed him to come back to Ide Schelling (3pts) in the mountain classification.
110km. Ide Schelling in search of points. Wearing the polka dot jersey since yesterday, the Dutchman from Bora-Hansgrohe will be fighting with Anthony Perez for the mountain classification. And it starts now with the start of the ascent of the Sainte-Barbe hill (cat. 4, 0.9km at 6.6%).
???? @IdeSchelling, don’t forget, is part of the breakaway group as we reach the first climb of the day- the Côte de Sainte-Barbe.
We are approaching the first difficulty of the day. ???? @ idaschelling will try to get the points to consolidate his Polka Dot Jersey.#TDF2021 pic.twitter.com/KHQ7XrUe3C
– Tour de France ™ (@LeTour) June 27, 2021
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115km. The Deceuninck-Quick Step at the front of the peloton. Like yesterday, Julian Alaphilippe’s teammates regulate the pace of the pack and keep the breakaway under four minutes. It is for the moment Tim Declercq who takes everyone.
118km. A 30-year-old novice. Present in the breakaway of the day, Jérémy Cabot (TotalEnergies) is playing his first Tour de France at the age of 30, after obtaining his selection thanks to a 5th place at the French championships in Epinal, a few weeks ago.
122km. Decryption of Alaphilippe’s victory. Author of a sharp attack in the strongest percentages of the Fosse aux Loups yesterday, Julian Alaphilippe dropped all his opponents. Will he have the opportunity to repeat such a performance today at Mûr-de-Bretagne? Some answers in our article dedicated to the winning strategy of the yellow jersey.
125km. The leaders, who still have a 3′19 ″ lead over the peloton, averaged 45.8 km / h in the first hour of the race.
130km. Point on the favorites who lost time. Braked by the various falls of yesterday, several favorites are already more or less won in the general classification: Miguel Angel Lopez (Movistar, 41st at + 1′49 ″), Emanuel Buchmann (Bora-Hansgrohe, 42nd at 1′49 ″) , Guillaume Martin (Cofidis, 46th at 1′49 ″), Richie Porte (INEOS Grenadiers, 65th at 2′16 ″), Alejandro Valverde (Movistar, 93rd at 5′33 ″), Tao Geoghegan Hart (INEOS Grenadiers, 123rd at 5′33 ″) …
136km. The public at the rendezvous. The crowd is already present at the finish of this second stage in Mûr-de-Bretagne, where the riders will cross the line around 5:40 pm.
142km. Stitches for the yellow jersey. Although he masterfully won the first stage, Julian Alaphilippe was nevertheless slightly hit in the knee in the successive falls. But nothing serious for the world champion with the motivation increased tenfold by this perfect start to the Tour.
Julian Alaphilippe at the start: “I had a good night’s sleep. I needed a few stitches in the knee but nothing serious, I’m very motivated for today. With this swimsuit on my shoulders, it’s awesome.” #TDF2021 pic.twitter.com/X5pzZQTotI
– Le Gruppetto (@LeGruppetto) June 27, 2021
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144km. Four minutes early for the breakaway. The six leading men are not yet chased by the peloton and take the opportunity to build on their gap. 147km. Franck Bonnamour in the spotlight. Originally from Lannion, the rider from B&B Hôtels-KTM traveled through his town with a few steps ahead of the peloton to make the most of the supporters who came to support him. 149km. The rain makes its appearance. The runners will have to be all the more vigilant in order to avoid possible falls.
154km. Final fight between favorites and punchers. With a similar layout to that of yesterday, the arrival of this second stage perfectly matches the profile of the yellow jersey Julian Alaphilippe. But Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix), only 20th at the Fosse aux Loups, has revenge to take on the French rider. Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma), even if he works for his leader, could also be there, as the two Slovenian favorites Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), respectively second and sixth of the first stage.
157km. The leading men are widening the gap. Having left a few kilometers ago, the six men at the front take their advantage to more than two minutes.
