Stage 2 and the question is, can anyone stop Gazelle? There are plenty of sprint points, meaning a rider in the break could build up an overall lead fairly easily if they can stay away until close to the line. The sprinters will want their chance in the sun today though, so expect everything to be pulled back. The three favourites are Lasca (KEN), Cardoso (PVB), and Demare (MAG)
With the mountains jersey up for grabs today four riders go from the gun: Hoelgaard (PVB), Suray (ABC), Retschke (TCB) and Merino Criado (CSC). None of them are remotely a threat to the overall, so Gazelle will probably want them out there as long as possible claiming sprint bonuses
Hoelgaard times his attack best to claim the first climb, Retschke and Suray are next.
Hoelgaard looks to be the best climber in the break, and with the order the same at the second KoM point he moves just 1 point off the lead.
Hoelgaard does it again, with the order identical again.
Suray thinks he has the 4th climb of the day, but Hoelgaard passes him at the last minute. Retschke drops to third.
Order is restored at the final climb and we are back to the Hoelgaard - Retschke - Suray - Merino Criado positioning. Wiith the climbing over the peloton are 8 minutes back with 100km left to go.
The break cross the finish line with 78km left and their gap cut to 5'36" 7 laps remaining, including 6 sprint points.
The first half of the circuit is incredibly tight and really thins out the chasing peloton. The scond half is outside the city and much less technical, although there are 3 hairpins with 5km to go.
The break don't sprint, so Merino Criado takes the first sprint from Retschke and Hoelgaard
There is a sprint the second time round, Hoelgaard wins, with Merino Criado and Retschke following. The gap is at 4 minutes with 55km remaining.
Hoelgaard wins the third sprint as well. This time Retschke beats Merino Criado.
The 4th sprint gives the same outcome as the third. Just two sprints to go now, but the lead is under 2 minutes, will the break make it to the next one?
Maybe, the sprinters teams are off the front, and Gazelle are happy to let the gap go out. I'm really not sure why.
The break slow up as well though, so the gap quickly drops to around a minute, at which point they start attacking one another
Unsurprisingly this leads to Hoelgaard winning the next sprint point solo.
Merino Criado and Retschke are 24" behind, with Suray a further 12" back.
Then the Gazelle lead bunch at 1'40". Just 20km to race now.
Suray and Retschke manage to drop Merino Criado, and are closing in on Hoelgaard.
But behind them, Kappa and Pivovarna Lasko are stirring.
As we approach the bell Merino Criado has dragged his way back onto the back of the break. the gap over the bunch is still 52 seconds.
Hoelgaard takes the final sprint, to round out an excellent day for him, Retschke gets second again, with Suray third.
9km to go and Kappa are all over the peloton, and have pulled back the break. Weening is well placed on the right.
6.5 km left, Demare (MAG) has found Lasca's wheel, at the back of a line of Kappa's. Pivovarna are swarming everywhere trying to help Tzortzakis, while Cardoso (PVB) is left to fend for himself.
Through the hairpins we go, and it is very bunched up.
Suddenly the two chains spring out, Pivorna and Kappa pull way clear. Moren (VTF) and Galle (VTF) both try to keep up.
At the back of the bunch an exhausted Hoelgaard falls, taking down FC Barca's leader Grau.
Haddi (FCB) and Demare (MAG) both join Galle in following Pivorna, although Moren may ahve made a better choice in being in Lasca's slipstream.
With 3km to go De Bie is out lead-out-manning Mori and helping the men in green close the gap.
De Dalto (KEN) starts his lead out at the same time as Hocevar (PVL)
Tzortzakis tries to go it alone though.
Da Dalto is pulling Lasca away from the chasers.
Demare is now trying to come back, but Lasca is still just sitting in the slipstream.
As the gap starts to close Lasca finally makes his move.
Moren (VTF) tries to come round
But Lasca has enough to finish off his excellent lead out.
Galle makes it a 2-3 for Vatenfall, ahead of Demare and the excellent Da Dalto
It's terrible news for Barcalona though, as Grau looses 5 minutes
So, there is no change to the overall, bar Grau's fall, but the Mountains jersey looks all but sown up for Hoelgaard, who is also just 1 point off Lasca's points jersey, altough one suspects Weening still has a part to play there.
