The pack took off at 13h00 for the second stage of this 42nd Tour de l’Avenir. 173,5 km between Argentré du Plessis and Sainte Scolasse sur Sarthe, were to be completed including three intermediate sprints. Immediately after the start was given, attacks occurred but the pack remained careful, chasing all attempts. At kilometre 6, Dalibard (BJF) and Kolessov (CAP) managed to break away and were rapidly chased by Deignan (A2R) and Martias (BTL) as well as Habeaux (LAN). The three counter-attacking riders eventually caught the front men at kilometre 27. From then on, the five leaders started working together and earned a significant 4’55 lead in Gesvres (km 99). Meanwhile, Martias clinched the first intermediate sprint in Mayenne (km 62) ahead of Kolessov and Dalibard.

The CSC team moved up to the front positions of the pack helped out by the Liberty Seguros riders and started controlling the leader’s advantage. The gap indeed stabilised before reaching 5’ at the exit of the feeding zone in Saint-Pierre de Nids (km 105,5). Moving closer to the second intermediate sprint in Condé-sur-Sarthe (km 115,5), Martias eased up the pace. On the line, the Frenchman beat Kolessov and Dalibard while the pack remained 4’50 adrift.

In Lonrai (km 122), the pack increased its speed. The advantage of the front men started dropping to 4’ at the entrance of Colombier (km 123 ,5), 3’30’’ at the exit of Radon (km 128,5) and 2’25’’ in Vingt Hanaps (km 134). The chase was on. However, Martias carried on his efforts in the lead, earning bonus seconds by winning the last intermediate sprint in Menil –Erreux (km 141) ahead of Kolessov and Dalibard while the pack was moving closer at only 2’. In the front positions of the main field, the Française des Jeux team started helping out the CSC boys. In Essay (km 147) the gap had dropped down to 1’30 for the escapees.

The front rider’s lead dramatically collapsed. With 15 kilometres to go, Deignan, Dalibard, Kolessov and Habeaux were caught by the pack. Martias, then on his own decided to insist. He was finally caught at kilometre 165. Victory was to be decided in a sprint finish. The Rabobank riders naturally thought that this could be their day and eased up the pace at the front of the pack alongside Renshaw (FDJ) and the US team riding for their sprinter Farrar. In the final 300 metres, the American powered to the line in style. Farrar beat Bozic (PER) and Dekkers (RB3). Bak (CSC) however keeps the yellow jersey.