Key moments

16:10 - Top 10

Top 5 in Saint-Félicien:

1. Daniel Moreno (KAT)

2. Simon (SAU)

3. Gallopin (RNT)

4. Nocentini (ALM)

5. Van den Broeck (LOT)

6. LL Sanchez (RAB)

7. Evans (BMC)

8. Brajkovic (AST)

9. Wiggins (SKY)

10. Voeckler (EUC)

16:07 - The winner is... Dani Moreno

Daniel Moreno (KAT) beats in the sprint Julien Simon (SAU) and Tony Gallopin (RNT).

16:06 - Shark attack?

Vincenzo Nibali is right on the wheel of Evans.

16:04 - Evans well positioned

Chérel has been caught and Evans is well positioned for the uphill sprint.

16:02 - BMC in pursuit of Chérel

The BMC team is leading the bunch strongly behind Chérel.

16:01 - Attack by Chérel

Mikaël Chérel (ALM) attacks solo with 5km to go.

16:00 - All together

It’s all together with 5.8km to go. There is a 2.5km climb to conclude today’s stage at Saint-Félicien.

15:59 - Roux insists

Roux insists with Kadri on his wheel but the bunch is very close behind them.

15:58 - Five riders in the lead

Roux rejoins Kern, Kadri, Moncoutié and Sarmiento in the lead.

15:57 - Saur-Sojasun chases

Roux is only five seconds behind the four escapees and the bunch, now led by Saur-Sojasun, is 15 seconds behind. "We work for Julien Simon who has good legs today", said on France Televisions Nicolas Guillé who is the directeur sportif of the French team.

15:50 - Evans wants to win again, says Lelangue

Questioned live by France Televisions, BMC’s directeur sportif John Lelangue admitted: "We’ve studied the finale, it suits both Philippe Gilbert and Cadel Evans. If they see a door open like yesterday, they’ll try again."

15:45 - Roux insists

With 15km to go, Roux is eight seconds behind the four escapees. The bunch is at 30 seconds.

15:44 - Roux chases alone

Anthony Roux (FDJ) is now a lone chaser, 30 seconds behind the four escapees.

15:41 - Result of the KOM at km 138

Result of the KOM price at col de Fontaille with 22km to go:

1. Kern, 3

2. Kadri, 2

3. Moncoutié, 1

Blel Kadri virtually leads the KOM classification with 36 points, ahead of Bernaudeau, 35, Kern, 31, Edet and Moncoutié, 38.

15:39 - Sulzberger on the offensive

Wesley Sulzberger (OGE) attacks from the bunch. Three riders follow him: Morabito (BMC), Roux (FDJ) and Médérel (SAU). They are 38 seconds behind the four breakaway riders.

15:27 - Kadri is one point down on virtual polka dot

The fight for the polka dot jersey is on! Blel Kadri has accumulated 34 points today but he’s still one point down on the total of Giovanni Bernaudeau who has 35. Christophe Kern and Nicolas Edet follow with 28 each. There are two climbs remaining, both classified in fourth category, the last one of the day being the right end of the stage. Cat. 4 climbs allocate 3, 2 and 1 points to the first three riders respectively. Bernaudeau is currently struggling at the back of the peloton.

15:25 - Counter attack braught back

The group of Thomas Voeckler has been caught by the peloton. Siutsou (SKY) has called his team car for a wheel change but Team Sky keeps riding hard at the head of the pack. They are only 35 seconds behind the breakaway with 33km to go.

15:24 - Correction

Correction: for the KOM competition, it was Thomas Voeckler on sixth position with five points.

15:20 - Result of KOM with 39km to go

Result of the KOM at the top of col de Lalouvesc with 39km to go:

1. Blel Kadri, 10 points

2. Moncoutié, 9

3. Sarmiento, 8

4. Kern, 7

5. B. Feillu, 6

6. Pauriol, 5

15:18 - Rémi Pauriol on attack

Rémi Pauriol (FDJ) attacks from the bunch, followed by Brice Feillu (SAU). Thomas Voeckler (EUC) and Mikaël Chérel (ALM) join them.

15:15 - New gap: 1.20

With 2km to go to the summit of the col de Lalouvesc, the deficit of the bunch led by Team Sky’s Konstantin Siutsou has been reduced to 1.20.

15:10 - Bernaudeau supports Bernaudeau

Questioned live by France Televisions, Jean-René Bernaudeau was satisfied by the return to form of Christophe Kern ahead of the Tour de France. "He shows that we’ve been right keeping confidence in him", said Europcar’s team manager who also enjoys watching his son Giovanni riding with the polka dot jersey. "He pleases me but he has to increase his confidence. If he’s the first man of the bunch again at the top of this climb, he’ll have the jersey for one more day."

15:09 - JJ Haedo quits the race

Juan José Haedo (SAX) who had big ambitions for winning stage 3 tomorrow has abandoned the Dauphiné.

15:06 - At an average speed of 38.2km/h

The breakaway group has covered 33.5km in the third hour of racing. The average speed so far is 38.2km/h.

15:00 - Dan Martin dropped off

In the col de Lalouvesc, Dan Martin is among the first riders dropped. He looks like suffering the consequences of his crash yesterday.

14:57 - In the col de Lalouvesc

Christophe Kern (EUC), Blel Kadri (ALM), José Sarmiento (LIQ) and David Moncoutié (COF) have started climbing to the col de Lalouvesc, which is the hardest of the day. Its summit is located 39km away from the finish.

14:55 - Gap at the top of the climb

The peloton has passed the line of the col de Rochepaule 2.25 behind the four breakaway riders.

14:55 - Result of KOM at km 108.5

Result of KOM at col de Rochepaule, km 108.5

1. Blel Kadri, 4 points

2. Kern, 3

3. Moncoutié, 2

4. Sarmiento, 1

14:35 - Result of KOM at km 95

Result of the King of the Mountains price at the col de Clavière, km 95:

1. Blel Kadri, 10

2. Kern, 9

3. Moncoutié, 8

4. Sarmiento, 7

5. Bernaudeau, 6

6. Edet, 5

The peloton passed the line of the KOM with a deficit of 2.55

14:33 - Ligthart quits the race

Dutch road champion Pim Ligthart from Vacansoleil-DCM has abandoned the race.

14:31 - Gap under three minutes

At km 91, the new time gap is 2.55.

14:27 - A beautiful day for cycling in the Ardèche

As the riders passed Sainte-Agrève, the temperature was 19.5°C with a blue sky and sunny weather.

14:19 - Team Sky leads the bunch

In the ascent of col de Clavière, the whole Team Sky leads the bunch and reduces the gap: 3.10.

14:17 - Rolland: “I’m up for opportunities”

The best young rider of the 2010 Tour de France Pierre Rolland has been seen in action yesterday in the final climb. That means a lot about his intentions. He talked to letour.fr prior to the start this morning. “I tried to win the stage yesterday”, he said. “I thought it was the right to move but Philippe Gilbert and Luis Leon Sanchez came across. They ruined my attack. Above all, I’m here to enjoy racing and try something whenever there’s an opportunity. It doesn’t mean that I’ll attack every day anywhere. Stages that include the Grand Colombier or Joux-Plane suit my characteristics better.” His team-mate Christophe Kern is currently in the leading group. It confirms the strong ambitions of the Europcar team to perform at the Dauphiné.

14:09 - Lead increasing

The advantage of Christophe Kern (EUC), Blel Kadri (ALM), José Sarmiento (LIQ) and David Moncoutié (COF) increases a little bit: 3.45 at km 82. The riders hit the col de Clavière.

13:45 - Happy birthday Carlos

It’s Carlos Barredo’s birthday today. The Rabobank rider turns 31 today. He’s fourth on GC.

13:42 - At the source of the Loire river

The four breakaway riders Christophe Kern (EUC), Blel Kadri (ALM), José Sarmiento (LIQ) and David Moncoutié (COF) are approaching the Mont Gerbier de Jonc, known for being the source of the Loire river, with an advantage of 3.15 over the peloton.

13:35 - 3.20 at km 59

At km 59, Kadri rejoins his former breakaway companions. The four leaders are 3.20 ahead of the peloton.

13:30 - Blel Kadri goes flat

In the breakaway group, Blel Kadri (ALM) has a flat tyre.

13:24 - 3.35 at km 50

The time between the four breakaway riders and the peloton led by Team Sky is 3.35 at km 50.

13:22 - Result of KOM at km 45

Result of the King of the Mountain price at col de Montivernoux, km 45:

1. Blel Kadri, 10 points

2. Kern, 9

3. Moncoutié, 8

4. Sarmiento, 7

5. Bernaudeau, 6

6. Edet, 5

The peloton passed 3.20 behind the four breakaway riders.

13:15 - 40km in the first hour

The breakaway riders have covered 40km in the first hour of racing.

13:12 - Time gap: 1.45

Christophe Kern (EUC), Blel Kadri (ALM), José Sarmiento (LIQ) and David Moncoutié (COF) have a lead of 1.45.

13:08 - Familiar roads

Christophe Kern who is away now might recognise the roads used by the riders of the 2010 Tour de France during stage 12 from Bourg-de-Péage to Mende won by Joaquim Rodriguez. The Frenchman was already in a breakaway group on this course with the likes of Barredo, Pauriol, Vinokourov, Moinard, Kyrienka and Charteau...

13:06 - Four riders in the lead

Four riders in the lead: Kern (EUC), Kadri (ALM), Sarmiento (LIQ) and Moncutié (COF).

13:04 - Compact bunch again

At km 39, the bunch is compact again but some riders are getting dropped off: Doi (ARG) who was in the break yesterday, Simon (SAU)...

13:03 - 14 riders in the lead

14 riders including Moncoutié are in the lead 12 seconds ahead of the head of the peloton in the climb.

13:02 - Fedrigo pulls out

Still in pain after his crash yesterday, Pierrick Fedrigo (FDJ) quits the Dauphiné.

12:51 - Moncoutié on the move

Climbing the col de Montivernoux, David Moncoutié (COF) goes on the attack.

12:46 - Team Sky stays in control

The riders are now in the ascent of the col de Montivernoux. Attacks keep going on but Team Sky stays in control. It’s difficult for anyone to break away.

12:39 - Joly: "no space for recovery today"

Sébastien Joly would have been the enfant du pays for today’s stage but he retired from professional cycling at the end of last year. Riding for FDJ in 2006, he was the hero of a breakaway en route to Saint-Galmier where his friend and team-mate Philippe Gilbert won the stage of the Dauphiné. He’s now a car driver for guests at his favorite race. He was the man to question about today’s course. “That’s really my training area”, Joly told letour.fr. “Pro riders aren’t use to this kind of courses. It’s usually either flat or mountainous but today it’s in between. Gradients aren’t steep but there’s also no space for recovery periods. I can imagine a very intense fight during the first hour. Many riders want to go away, even those who don’t believe they can win but they suffer less once they’re in the front than at the back of the bunch. I foresee a group of about eight riders away, three or four of them contesting the stage victory. It’s a perfect terrain for Philippe Gilbert and Thomas Voeckler but we’ve seen yesterday that Cadel Evans wants to test himself, so a fight between the favourites is also possible, especially in the last thirty kilometers.”

12:33 - The fight is on

Many attacks at the front of the peloton, with Frederik Veuchelen (VCD) going clear but it’s all together again at km 24.

12:30 - All together again

The bunch has caught Chavanel at km 20.

12:29 - 20 seconds for Chavanel

At Le Cheylard, km 17, Chavanel is alone away with 17 seconds lead over the whole bunch.

12:28 - Chavanel on his own

French champion Sylvain Chavanel continues his effort and goes away from the front group of ten riders.

12:26 - Yellow jersey on the move

Behind Pauriol and Médérel, a few riders have moved from the front of the bunch: Popovych (RNT) and Tankink (RAB), rejoined by Boasson Hagen (SKY) and Chavanel (OPQ), later by Rogers (SKY) on his own, plus race leader Wiggins (SKY) and Nibali (LIQ), and finally Gilbert (BMC).

12:19 - Fedrigo, D. Martin and S. Sanchez doubtful

Three riders were injured in two different crashes yesterday.

Pierrick Fedrigo (FDJ) doesn’t know if he is able to pedal normally today, as his right kneecap still hurts.

Samuel Sanchez (EUS) who crashed with Fedrigo at km 47 and finished 23.54 later than Cadel Evans yesterday is even more affected. "I had a bad night", he told reporters on the start line. "My ribs hurt. According to the radios, they aren’t broken but it’s not certain. If it’s too painful, I’ll pull out, go back to Spain and undergo further examination."

Dan Martin (GRM) fell on a roundabout closer to the finish. He waited for two hours in an hospital for x-ray. "I’m ok but my head still hurts." He was full of praise for the efficiency of his helmet.

12:17 - Two Frenchmen in the lead

Rémi Pauriol (FDJ) and Maxime Médérel (SAU) go clear off the bunch at km 7.5.

12:17 - Skirmishes...

Ten riders try to break away from the pack at km 6.

12:14 - Six climbs today

It’s a very undulating course today. Six climbs allocate points for the KOM competition currently led by Giovanni Bernaudeau:
- Col de Montivernoux, cat. 2, 16.1 km at 4.2%, km 45
- Col de Clavière, cat. 2, 12.1km at 3.7%, km 95
- Col de Rochepaule, cat. 3, 3.6km at 4.8%, km 108.5
- Col de Lalouvesc, cat. 2, 8.7km at 5.1%, km 121
- Col de Fontaille, cat. 4, 2.2km at 4.9%, km 138
- Saint-Félicien, cat. 4, 2.5%km at 4.4%, km 160
The last climb leads to the finishing line in Saint-Félicien. The total difference in altitude of the whole stage is 2898 metres.

12:09 - All together

The peloton is all together at km 5.

12:07 - Attacks from the gun

The peloton is very active from the gun but Team Sky controls.

12:03 - Start proper given

The start proper of stage 2 has been given at 12h06.

12:01 - In the neutral zone

All 175 riders have signed in. They’re now in the neutral zone.

11:59 - Jersey holders

Bradley Wiggins wears the yellow-blue jersey today. It’s not exactly what he aimed at but Luke Durbridge who had it after the prologue didn’t hold the pace of the main peloton yesterday when it split in the downhill of the côte de la Sizeranne with 9km to go to Saint-Vallier.
Stage 1 winner Cadel Evans is only one second down the Englishman but he leads the points classification with an advantage of five points over yesterday’s runner up Jérôme Coppel. The Australian wears the green jersey today.
Giovanni Bernaudeau of Europcar has the polka dot jersey on his back. After passing in first position five of the six climbs of stage 1, he leads the King of the Mountains price with 23 points, ahead of Nicolas Edet with 18.
The best young rider is Edvald Boasson Hagen. The Norwegian is wearing white for the second day in a row but this time, it’s not because Luke Durbridge is in yellow.

11:58 - Welcome to stage 2

Welcome to the live coverage of stage 2 of the 64th Critérium du Dauphiné. It’s a 160km long stage from Lamastre to Saint-Félicien in the province of Ardèche.

Top of the page