HEADLINE: Greipel wins second stage

DATE: 05/07/2015

SOURCE: ASO

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VOICEOVER: Mitchell Grima

SCRIPT:

The first week of the Tour de France usually allows the riders to settle in ahead of the hectic mountain stages.

But the wind and rain across the flatlands of the Netherlands caused chaos on an unpredictable second stage.

At the front, Andre Greipel claimed the sprint victory after the 166 kilometre trek to Zeeland.

Many thought the German’s best days were behind him – but he timed his race to perfection to see off the threat of Peter Sagan.

It didn’t take long for the tricky course to wreak havoc with the field,

High winds splitting the peloton, with overall title contenders Vincenzo Nibali and Nairo Quintana victims of the conditions.

Chris Froome was aided by his Team Sky team-mates during that divide to give him a sizeable advantage.

The peloton eventually caught the main breakaway to set up a grandstand finish,

With the key riders offered much needed protection.

Mark Cavendish had been tipped to claim his 26th Tour stage win and he looked a favourite for honours as a sprint broke out…

But he was denied at the line to finish in fourth behind Fabian Cancellara.

—

With time bonuses on offer for the first time since 2008, it was enough for the Swiss star to leapfrog Tony Martin into the famed yellow jersey.

Stage one winner Rohan Dennis was caught out by the wind and slipped well out of contention, even at this early stage.

There was a setback for Nibali and Quintana as Froome and Alberto Contador opened up a considerable gap over their fellow GC contenders.

Expect the big four to all be at the front for Monday’s finish up the famed Mur de Huy.

Nibali hoping to repeat the feats of last year in England, when victory on a similar finish saw him set his stall out for the three weeks to follow.

KEYWORDS: All Sports, Cycling, Tour de France, Highlights, English