Mitchell Docker of Lafarge took our first sprint yesterday and now lies 23 seconds behind Michael Rogers of La Gazzetta. He could just about take the pink jersey today if he doubles up and takes a bonification elsewhere.
Its possible as we have two interestingly placed sprints near the beginning and end of the stage.
However he will have to fight it out with numerous other sprinters and it is doubtful they will go down quietly. Matti Breschel (Starbucks) pushed him close yesterday and with both being good enough to last medium hills, this battle may be one we get used to over the Giro. Lo Cicero and his Nespresso team will be fully aware he doesn't go well on hills so today is one of few chances for him!
Other favourites listed for a sprints are Lavoine (Festina) and Luke Rowe (Wiggle)... everyone seems to agree its going to be a sprint and we have a cagey opening to the stage. The first 19kms are pretty slow going, perhaps the teams are waiting for the sprint point. Bored of waiting a Vespa man attacks...
Wild card wild cat.
Its Pogato (Vespa) he was on the move yesterday and it is clear what his brief is for these early stages. This has stirred up the hornets nest and a number of other ambitious riders join him.
Five more riders
Its yesterdays instigator Herroro Llorente (Domina Vacanze), Van Zandbeek (Lafarge), Kovalev (Wikipedia), Tronet (Auber) and Barth (Vesuvio). Some of these names will be familiar to you from yesterdays break. These six riders are given some slack, Nespresso are not going to chase this down for a possible pink jersey attempt before the first sprint. With this established five more riders decide to try and bridge.
They see no-one will chase so why not try and get to the BotD
Hulsmans (Warner Brothers), Leezer (Auber), King of the Mountains joint leader Steenson (B+O), Jacobs (Carmuese) and Ascani (Vespa). Steenson is not so far down on GC and did not lose touch with the peleton yesterday so these bonuses are actually moving him up GC. That is, if he is allowed those bonuses, one aggressive rider is determined to not allow that to happen.
Barth attacks alone over sprint.
Clearly the Vesuvio man has a chip on his shoulder, frustrated that press forgot to mention his name after his day long break yesterday! Its a different way to win a sprint, Tronet was second and Kovolev was third. It takes a while but on a bright (and a bit windy) May day in Holland we have a break of 11 riders.
Its 11 riders over the flat Dutch countryside.
They begin to co-operate well and with 100km to go the lead is 7 minutes. The peleton is going okay though this team know what it is like to control a Giro pack.
Gazzetta with steady control.
The team are testing themselves for the TTT on the next stage here and the gap is reduced down to 4.47 with 75km to go. We have now one of those scenic moments - Holland of course the land reclaimed from the sea has numerous road bridges like these.
You do not really want to fall off of this bridge.
Its a very exposed bit of road and its important to ride near the front here, so Gazzetta find some company in Sony Eriksson (Grillo) and Nespresso (Lo Cicero).
Two teams wanting different results from their sprinters.
Whilst it is blustery it is not quite echelon forming wind and the main question is whether the pack will catch the break before the last sprint bonuses. With 50 to go the gap is 3.09 and then with 30km to go the gap is 1.39. The sprint is in seven kilometers from here, so its touch and go. However some riders from the break have been saving themselves.
Hulsmans, Barth, Kovolev, Steenson ad Van Zandbeek
The Lafarge man (Van Zandbeek) is clearly trying to mark it, but it is clear that the peleton are not going to get it back so he moved to the front and battles for the sprint with Hulsmans.
Close fight for sprint point
It's a photo finish, but the officials give the not to Van Zandbeek over Hulsmans and it is earlier sprint winner Barth who gets third. Of course the peleton want the final sprint and they loom menacingly behind at the 20km to go point.
About to be swallowed by the big fish
So its time to organise ourselves for a sprint, it's a bit windy today so making a late burst is crucial. The early organisation is evident at 10km to go.
Starbucks making an expresso train
Behind the pace snake is two starbucks riders Renshaw and Breschel. That's Vespa advance scout Bettini to the left and lone striker Weylandt (Carmeuse) to the right and Dockers diesel Minard just behind. One of the fastest sprinters in the world though Theo Bos is dropping off the back.
It's a bit tougher away from the track isn't it Theo
Back to the serious business and with 5km to go, its clear the sprint trains are trying to shelter behind the beloved pace snake.
Pacers protect me
Its a bit difficult to see, but you may be able to make out the Magenta jersey about seven back that's Docker of course the points leader. Drujon is doing a good job behind getting Haussler up to Dockers wheel for Auber. The guy pretty much barging into Docker is Lang of Sony Erickson, he is pacing Grillo who has Lo Cicero (Nespresso) and Lavoine (Festina) are wheelsucking. Who wins the battle of the sprint trains?
Lafarge looking good
Minard concentrates hard and the Australian Docker is following well, they actually have created a gap as Haussler cannot get onto Dockers wheel. Vespa have decided to go a bit late, its Bettini again leading out Gatto and its Rizza (Lipton Iced Tea) who looks like he will get Gatto's wheel. Minard hits the fronty round the bend.
2700m to go.
Bettini looks everyone of his 38 years as he waves Gatto through, Paulo is cooked! Auber are trying again with Drujon and Haussler looks like Rizza has moved to their wheel. As the bend eases away they begin to really motor. Grillo has lost his pace man and still has Lo Cicero and Lavoine on his wheel.
1500 to go
Minard is doing a great job for his leader here, on the right Weylandt has come on his own again and is in third at this point but Gatto and Grillo are in contention. We go under 1km to go and Minard pulls over.
Docker launches
The Australian has waited a wee bit too long becasue Gatto is beginning to draw level and he is bringing Luke Rowe (Wiggle) with him. Haussler is also trying to move forward with Grillo. As we thunder down the last kilometer Docker comes to top speed.
They are not getting him back
Gatto is beginning to fade and Rowe is coming around the left and Haussler is coming on the right. No speed at all for Lo Cicero and Lavoine. Its a fantastic lead out and win for Lafarge.
Stage win number two for Docker
He has enough time to celebrate today! Rowe takes second ahead of Gatto then Haussler and Grillo. Breschel managed to battle his way up to 6th.
