Key moments

11:49 - The top five of stage two

1. Simon Gerrans
2. Jens Voigt
3. Alejandro Valverde
4. Damiano Cunego
5. Jérome Pineau

11:43 - Gerrans takes stage two

Simon Gerrans (AUS - C.A) has won stage two from Jens Voigt(GER-CSC)with an acceleration in the final 300 metres.

11:41 - The final km for the leaders

The leaders have passed the 1km banner with a 2’00" advantage from the main field as rain begins to fall over the course.

11:39 - 2kms from the finish

Jens Voigt and Simon Gerrans are 2’10" ahead of the main field with less than 2kms to go.

11:36 - The leaders attack the final climb of the stage.

3kms are all that stand in the way of race leaders Simon Gerrans and Jens Voigt from taking the stage win as they start the final climb with an advantage of 2’20" from the main field.

11:33 - 5kms to the finish

Stage two leaders, Simon Gerrans and Jens Voigt lead by 2’40" as they approach the final five kms.

11:28 - 10 kms to the finish line

Jens Voight and Simon Gerrans are now within 10 kms of the finish and have pushed thir advantage to 2’45" from the main field.

11:22 - 15 kms to go

While Sandy Casar has been dropped by the main field, Voigt and Gerrans now have a lead of 2’30" as they enter the final 15kms.

11:17 - At 20kms from the arival

The leaders, Gerrans and Voigt, are now 2’25" ahead of the main field with 20 kms to go.

11:14 - At the summit of the Mont Malgré Tout

1.Gerrans 6pts
2. Voigt 4pts
...50"
3. Santambrogio 2pts
...1’15"
4. Casar 1pt

The yellow jersey group is at 2’15" to the leaders

11:09 - Casar losing ground

Sandy Casar has dropped a few metres to the leaders at the head of the race, which is still being led by Voigt and Gerrans as they approach the summit of the Côte du Mont Malgré Tout.

10:53 - Côte du Mont Malgré Tout part 2

Voigt (GER-CSC), Casar (FRA-FDJ), Gerrans (AUS-C.A.)and Santambrogio (ITA- LAM)are making their second trip up the 3.3km (8.8%) climb on the Mont Malgré Tout.

10:48 - Bonus points at the summit of the Côte du Bois de l’Or

1.Gerrans 4pts
2.Casar 2pts
3.Voigt 1pt
The yellow jersey group is still at 2’15" to the leaders.

10:46 - 2’15" lead for the group of four

The lead group of four now has a 2’15" advantage from the yellow jersey group, which is being led by the Caisse d’Epargne and Rabobank teams, with the help of Bouygues Telecom.

10:41 - Bonus points at the summit de Mellier-Fontaine

1. Gerrans 4pts
2. Casar 2pts
3. Voigt 1pt

10:40 - The gap is at 2’10"

The four leaders now enjoy a lead of 2’10" from the yellow jersey group at the summmit of the Côte de Mellier-Fontaine.

10:38 - Nation by nation

France is the most represented country in the peloton with 41 riders, next is Spain (21), followed by Italy (12), Germany (9) and Holland (9). After Saturday’s stage, below is an updated of the riders still in the race by nation


France 40 (41 at the start, with Bacquet retiring before stage 2)
Spain 18 (21 at the start, with retirements for Luengo, Abal Diego and Martinez following stage 1)
Italy 12
Holland 9
Germany 8 (9 at the start with Ciolek retiring after stage 1)
United States 7 (8 at the start, with Pëterson retiring after stage 1)
Belgium 6 ( 7 at the start, with Delfosse retiring after stage 1)
Switzerland 6
Australia 4
Columbia, Great Britain, Luxemburg, Russia 3
South Africa, Denmark, Japan, Sweden, Ukraine 2
Austria, Belarus, Hungary Kazakhstan, Norway, Czech Republic 1

10:31 - The race is back on

The leaders, Jens Voigt (GER-CSC), Sandy Casar (FRA-FDJ) Simon Gerrans (AUS-C.A.)and Mauro Santambrogio (ITA- LAM) have re-started the race 1’55" ahead of the yellow jersey group at the summit of the Côte des Perrières, (km49).

10:20 - The race is about to re-start

Following the interuption the race will resume at km 49, the summit of the Côte des Perrières.

09:52 - The race is still suspended

The riders have been re-grouped at km 48. The demonstration is still taking place. When the stage resumes the lead group of four; Jens Voigt (GER-CSC), Sandy Casar (FRA-FDJ) Simon Gerrans (AUS-C.A.)and Mauro Santambrogio (ITA- LAM) will recuperate its lead of 1’55".

09:49 - Race stopped!

The race has been stopped by a demonstration. When the race resumes the lead group will re-start with a margin of 1’55" from the main field.

09:47 - The gap at km 46

The lead group of four now lead by 1’55" as they approach the next climb, the Côte des Perrières.

09:38 - At km 39.5

The main field trails the lead group of four by 1’50" at km 39.5.

09:37 - Results from the Col du Loup

1.Gerrans 4pts
2.Voigt 2pts
3.Santambrogio 1pt

09:35 - The leaders are 1’45" ahead

The lead group of four; Voigt, Casar, Gerrans and Santambrogio lead the main field by 1’45" after the third climb of the day.

09:32 - Results on the Côte de Blossette

1.Gerrans 4pts
2.Casar 2pts
3.Voigt 1pt

09:26 - The leaders keep pulling away

Jens Voigt (GER-CSC), Sandy Casar (FRA-FDJ) Simon Gerrans (AUS-C.A.)and
Mauro Santambrogio (ITA- LAM)now lead by 1’20" as they make their way up the third climb of the stage.

09:23 - After 32kms

The lead group of four; Jens Voigt (GER-CSC), Sandy Casar (FRA-FDJ) Simon Gerrans (AUS-C.A.)and Mauro Santambrogio (ITA- LAM) now have a one-minute cushion from the group including the yello jersey, Laurens Ten Dam.

09:18 - Caisse D’Epargne catching the leaders

Caisse D’Epargne is working at the front of the pack to reel in the four early attackers: Voigt, Casar, Gerrans and Santambrogio

09:12 - The field is 45" behind the lead group of four

At km 21.5 the main field is now 45 seconds adrift from the four leaders, which includes last year’s winner Jens Voigt (GER-CSC).

09:10 - Voight, Casar, Gerrans and Santambrogio attack

Jens Voigt (GER-CSC), Sandy Casar (FRA-FDJ) Simon Gerrans (AUS-C.A.)and Santambrogio (ITA- LAM)have a 10" lead over an intemediate group of more than 10 riders

09:00 - After 14kms

Schleck has been joined by a group of counter-attackers.

08:59 - Resultes from Mont Malgré Tout climb

1. Schlek 6pts
2. Casar 4pts
3. Pineau 2pts

08:58 - Schleck, Casar and Lhôtellerie move to the front

Franck Schlek, Sandy Casar and Clemènt Lhôtellerie are on their own as they reach the second summit of the day.

08:56 - Frenchmen on the attack

Rémi Pauriol and Clément Lhôtellerie have gone on the offensive at km11.

08:55 - Frenchmen on the attack

Rémi Pauriol and Clément Lhôtellerie have gone on the offensive at km11.

08:54 - Several riders already struggling

Ian McKissick (USA-BMC), who is riding with the polka dot jersey and Jimmy Casper (FRA-AGR)have already dropped off the main field.

08:51 - Leaders caught

The lead group has been caught by the main field.

08:51 - The lead group

Voigt, Larsson, Andy Schleck (CSC), Casar (FDJ), Losada Alguacil, (GCE), Pauriol (C.A.), Gesnik (RAB), Tiralongo (LAM), Tschopp (BTL), Martinez (EUS)Duque, (COF), Grivko, Velits (MRM), Lhôtellerie (SKS) and Moos (BMC)have an 18’’ lead from the main field.

08:46 - Race leaders

Stage one winner Laurens Ten Dam is in the yellow jersey for stage two Les Vielles Forges – Monthermé (98.5km). The Dutchman has a 23” lead from Benoit Vaugrenard in the overall standings.

Ten Dam also leads in the points standings. The green jersey will be worn by Benoit Vaugrenard. Ian McKissick is on equal 8 points with overall leader, Ten Dam in the climbing standings and thus will wear the polka dot jersey on stage two.

In the under 25 standings, current seventh place overall, Sebastian Schwager will ride in white this morning. Finally, Rabobank leads in the team standings.

08:43 - Results from fist climb

Results from the côte des Vieilles Forges
1. Duque, 4 pts
2. Lhôtellerie, 2
3. Tschopp, 1

08:42 - Lhotellerie in the lead

Clemént Lhotellerie (FRA-SKS) has taken the lead in the race after the first climb of the morning.

08:41 - Early attack

A group of nine riders have begun the hostilities with an attack in the opening metres, among the nine are Johan Tschopp (SUI -BTL), Leonardo Duque (COL-COF) and Clemént L’Hottellerie (FRA - SKS)

08:36 - Stage 2 start time 08:35

Stage two has begun at 08:35 for 98.5kms and nine climbs...

08:30 - STAGE PROFILE

Les Vielles Forges – Monthermé (98.5km)

Climbs:
Km 2: Côte des Vielles Forges 1.8km at 7.6%
Km 13: Côte du Mont Malgré Tout 3.3km at 8.8%
Km 34:Côte de Blossette 1.7km at 3.2%
Km 39.5: Côte du Loup 3.7km at 6.2%
Km 49: Côte des Perrières 2.4km at 4.3%
Km 56.5: Côte de Meillier-Fontaine 3.8km at 4.4%
Km 61: Côte du Bois de l’Or 1.1km at 7%
Km 77: Côte du Mont Malgré Tout 3.3km at 8.8%
Km 98.5: Côte de la Roche aux 7 Villages 3.8km at 5.4%

08:30 - Hello and welcome to stage two

Stage two will set off from Les Vielles Forges and finish 98.5 kms later at Monthermé.

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