Stage 2 - Exactly As I Predicted

This one was not rocket science. I think everyone predicted an unsuccessful escape followed by a classic sprint finish, with Cavendish contending for the win, and no shake-up in the GC standings. It was so obvious, I can't claim any special genius.

Well, what is there to even write about?

A word for Michael Morkov, who could’ve coasted today and still retained the polka-dot jersey as King of the Mountains. Instead, he honored the jersey by jumping into the breakaway for a second day in a row, and collecting the one extra climbing point on offer. Now, he wears the jersey, knowing he fought for it again, and not just by default. Classy move, Michael.

Mark Cavendish (Sky) answered my challenge from yesterday, and won this stage that was tailor-made for him. (This, after having to change bikes in the early part of the race.) He reported afterwards that he did it without the usual lead-out train. At 5 Km he thanked his two supporting teammates, and rode on alone, hoping to find just the right opening. At 1 Km, it was Greipel (LTB), Cavendish and Goss (OGE) leading. Cavendish then made his move, and Greipel and Goss couldn’t quite match him. Sagan (Liq) came in sixth place. Close, but not really the head-to-head challenge I have been hoping for.

With one more point than Sagan in the intermediate sprint, and 25 more at the finish, Cavendish closed the gap to only 15 points behind Sagan for the green jersey. Sagan moved ahead of Cancellara (RNT) to earn the green jersey in his own right for tomorrow. (He’s been wearing it on 2^nd place points, because Cancellara was already wearing the yellow jersey.)  Goss, Greipel and Gilbert (BMC) round out the next contenders for the points prize, at about 10-point intervals below Cavendish.

As expected, the yellow jersey stays with Cancellara, and none of the GC contenders made a move in the standings today. The first 146 riders (out of 198) all came in with the same time as the winner. No surprises.

With 45 Km to ride today, the peleton passed through the Belgian town of Silly. That set my mind to spinning about the possibilities for a nonsense (Silly?) song I should write . . . . Something along the lines of an old Kingston Trio song called "To Morrow," about a frustrated traveler trying to get to the town of Morrow. I’ll have to make a note to come back to this when the Tour is over.

My previous predictions for tomorrow still stand.

I don't have any pictures of Silly, Belgium.  But I do have this silly Belgian picture--the statue of Manneken-Pis, the iconic symbol of Bruxelles.

On a more serious note, I offer this photo of the Swiss Alps, taken from Gruyères, Switzerland.  This to honor Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara, the current yellow jeresey leader of the Tour de France.