In a fairly predictable sprint finish, it was Heinrich Haussler who took the prize while many of the other sprinters did not make it to the peloton. Many of the favorites like Boonen and Cavendish fell back after attempting a small but steep climb near the finish, allowing Haussler and some of the others who did make it to fight it out for themselves. Haussler kicked off to the side and there was no one able to catch him afterwards. Most of the overall standings stayed the same, although some riders did fall significantly behind. Christian Vandevelde, Peter Sagan, and Gregory Rast probably lost so much time in today's stage that recovery will be all but impossible. Tomorrow's stage has one giant climb in the beginning, and then it flattens pretty well out with a few assorted small climbs near the finish.
I would expect a result similar to today, a limited sprint between the surviving sprinters in the peloton. A breakaway will probably try to get free on the first climb, but I think the peloton will work to bring them back. It will be a little work for Cancellara, as he must be alert for attacks by a multitude of riders (many of the top contenders are just seconds behind). Tomorrow is only the third of nine stages, so the field probably won't mind one more sprint.CLASSIFICATIONS AFTER STAGE 2
OVERALL
1. Fabian Cancellara
2. Roman Kreuzinger -1
3. Tony Martin -3
4. Dries Devenyns -10
5. Gustav Erik Larson -11
7. Simon Gerrans -13
12. Levi Leipheimer -18
15. Nicolas Roche -21
18. George Hincapie -22
22. Andy Schleck -24
33. Lance Armstrong -29
34. Ryder Hesjedal -29
35. Frank Schleck -29
37. Robert Gesink -30
40. Andreas Kloden -32
41. Matteo Carrara -32
57. Dave Zabriskie -44
74. Luis Leon Sanchez -2:33
87. Michael Rogers -3:23
MOUNTAINS
1. Mathias Frank 13
2. Aitor Hernandez 12
3. Mattias Russ 8
POINTS
1. Heinrich Haussler 25
2. Pablo Urtasun Perez 20
3. Fabian Cancellara 19
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Liquigas
2. Team Saxo-Bank -7
3. Quick Step -28
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