Hello and welcome!
After yesterday's weather chaos - leaving behind several disappointed TT specialists - we have blue skies with just some small clouds today. And which sprinter is going to shine on the podium tonight? Or will a gutsy breakaway rider have his great day? We'll find out in a few hours!
But first, let's lose some words on today's profile. The stage starts in Vilshofen an der Donau, a small town of roughly 15,000 inhabitants, again near the Austrian border. It had an important role in the salt trade in the 16th century, with salt being delivered on the Danube all the way to Prague. Today, it's rather the beer that has taken the salt's place - well, we're in Bavaria after all...
The stage leads mostly southwards today - which isn't really of great importance, as there's no wind. After 22.6km, we will reach the first intermediate sprint - which could as well be a KoM sprint - in Fürstenzell.
The first categorized climb of the race will then lead up to Bad Griesbach, where 10, 8, 6, 4 and 2 points are awaiting after 50.6km. The same holds for the second KoM sprint, which will be taken with a marathon distance (42km) to go on the Wonneberg. It's not clear why both of them are category 2 - but well, that's the organizers' choice.
After the second intermediate sprint, taking place in Teisendorf, with a little less than 30km remaining, the riders will soon arrive in yesterday's starting location, Freilassing. They will do two extra laps, each of which is approximately 8km long - and then we'll have a winner!
This winner could well come from the host nation again, as Kupfernagel is among the bookies' Top 3 favorites, who see Krieger and Reinhardt in the Top 10 as well. The other 3-star favorites are Ulanowski and Lavoine, whereas Tewelde, Vanderaerden, Boev, Canelon and Ranneries should have their chances as well. It will be interesting to see which strategy Kulczyk is going to choose with two of the strongest sprinters in the field.
Well, the flag has been waved, the race is on - so let's jump into the action!
The peloton has just left the starting line, all is still calm. Kittel is well protected by his team mates and is of course acclaimed by the crowd.
But it's soon over with the coziness, as Bagioli and Puccioni launch the first attack of the day!
Seven more riders are trying to jump to the front: Gaudu, who has a small gap, and then a group of six containing Cowan, Rachid, Van Hoecke, Foss, Bain and Reckweg.
The peloton, led by Grigrian, is chasing hard though, and they bring back these six man. Gaudu however had just enough of a gap to get clear; he's chasing the two leaders solo now.
But Reckweg absolutely wants to be in this group, and so he attacks again. Only a few secons separate Bagioli/ Puccioni, Gaudu and Reckweg now.
Nonaka, Wallays, Kämna and Mygind try to break free as well, with the Japanese having a slight gap to the others.
And it's this small gap that saves him from being caught by Brozyna and Grigrian, unlike the unlucky trio behind him.
Just to give an overview, we currently have five riders in front: Bagioli, Puccioni, Gaudu, Reckweg Nonaka + 29"
Peloton + 45"
So nothing is said and done yet, there will surely be more attacks, especially given that the roads are soon starting to ascend.
OK, that was kind of an obvious prophecy, and we don't have to wait for long until Belevics, Razumov and again Mygind try another attack, just before we leave the Danube's riverside.
But Reinhardt must have really great legs today, as he lets Grigrian close yet another gap. Still five escapees ahead.
And they actually our breakaway of the day, as other potential attackers now seem to be afraid of Grigrian's power.
Reckweg is easily the best rouleur up front, and he combines that with the best stamina. Not a bad basis for a 200km stage (almost). As he's by far the best time trialist, he's also the most "dangerous" rider for the yellow jersey, having a deficit of 2'24".
Nonaka and Bagioli can match the Dane when it comes down to a sprint, though, while Gaudu is the best puncheur and should probably be the favorite for the KoM sprints.
Puccioni has almost 180km to think about how he could possibly surprise his companions, given that he's the worst sprinter and rouleur in the group. Well, anything can still happen...
What happens next is the first intermediate sprint, where Reckweg takes 6 points, Bagioli 4 and Gaudu 2.
The peloton is led by UBS (Schir, Grigrian), Berg Cycles (Rodrigues, Cras), Kulczyk (Brozyna), Valio (Gebremedhin) and Iberia (Soler). They lose 3'30" up to that first sprint.
As soon as we reach the first slopes of the KoM sprint, Gaudu attacks! But it's 1.7km to go to the top, that might be a tad early!
However, only Bagioli is able to follow as we reach the 1km mark.
But whereas Gaudu manages to stay ahead of the others, Bagioli is outsprinted by Reckweg and Nonaka. Puccioni, as expected, takes the last points:
No special action here, just a view of the beautiful Bavarian hills!
The pack is getting closer, though, with just 4 minutes of deficit remaining. Reckweg still has the virtual yellow jersey, but the margin is shrinking with each kilometer.
With 100km to go, it's now Nazaret leading the pack, while Tenorio is very attentive, around 15th position. Goncalves is not far, either. Else, it's still the same teams (and riders) sharing the work, i.e. mainly the sprinter teams. The gap is down to 3 minutes, so the breakaway doesn't seem to have a real chance today.
With this left turn, we head into the second categorized climb of the day, with the top already visible. Reckweg sees a chance of getting the polka dots and accelerates right away!
The peloton has come close, being just 1'24" back, but the breakaway riders are still likely to take these points.
But Reckweg's effort was in vain, as Gaudu easily outsprints him to take the maximum points today - and therefore the KoM jersey!
With Bagioli and Nonaka passing the Dane as well, we have three riders on par behind the Frenchman:
The peloton has lost a few seconds in this ascent, but with a 1'45" deficit is still well within reach. 42km to go.
On the second intermediate sprint, the order on the first two positions is reversed compared to the first sprint:
1. Bagioli - 6
2. Reckweg - 4
3. Gaudu - 2
The gap to the peloton is down to 1'10", with 28km remaining.
Now, we have quite a crazy situation: Duolingo is pushing hard with Razumov, even though they have Bagioli in the breakaway!?! Funny team tactics...
Behind, we still see mainly Berg Cycles, UBS and Kulczyk riders. But I'd really like to join Duolingo's table tonight...
Reckweg is trying to go solo, as the pack is quickly approaching. As he's the best flat rider, he might even have some minor chances to go to the end!
Well, no, he was reeled in soon after. But as we cross the finish line for the first time - with two laps still to go - it's Bagioli's turn to attack. And it's only now that Razumov stops hunting after his teammate.
But it's probably too late, as the peloton is just 30" down, with 16km to go.
And indeed, under the flame rouge - with still one lap to go, so no worries if you can't spot the sprinters yet - the breakaway is over. Kulczyk, UBS and Berg Cycles are still pushing hard, great workload by them today!
Five kilometers remaining, and the teams are slowly setting up their trains. Right now, we still have three helpers ahead, with Dillier, Brozyna and Almeida. Then we already see Schelling leading out Reinhardt, followed by Ulanowski, Canelon, Vanderaerden, Jones, Vaquera and Boev.
Berg Cycles have their own train with Aular, Rodrigues and Bartl, but their sprinter Kupfernagel follows in a second part of the train, almost side-by-side with Lavoine (not visible either). And on the left, we see Krieger, having Halilaj with him.
Two kilometers later, the train with Reguigui, Roglic and Kupfernagel is moving to the front, while the other teams are struggling to put their trains together. Most other sprinters are between 10th and 20th position right now, so nothing lost yet.
Two kilometers remaining, and the Kulczyk train has built up as well now. Laton and Tewelde are leading out Lavoine, who has almost all the other sprinters on his wheel - Reinhardt, Vanderaerden, Jones, Vaquera, Canelon and Boev.
The Berg Cycles train is still in great shape, with Kupfernagel having only Ulanowski on his wheel right now.
Ranneries, Jaser and Krieger are a bit further back may have a hard time getting a good result today.
We can also see Kittel on the left side of the road, in approximately 12th position - does he want to sprint as well?
1,500 meters to go, as the first riders of the trains are quitting their work, with Tewelde and Roglic taking over. Kittel is still very well positioned - better than some of the sprinters!
This time, the read kite really means "one kilometer left"! Tewelde for Lavoine and Roglic for Kupfernagel are still doing a great job, while Reinhardt and Ulanowski seem to have picked a great wheel! Vanderaerden is already launching his sprint, and so is Canelon - too early?
In each case, Canelon really had a great kick, propelling him into the lead! Let's have a quick look at the situation with 800 meters to go:
Canelon
Tewelde
Vanderaerden
Roglic
Kupfernagel
Ulanowski
Lavoine
Vaquera
Reinhardt
Jones
Kulppi
Boev
Kittel
Laton
Ranneries
With 600 meters to go, Canelon is still clearly in the lead. Vanderaerden and Ulanowski are roughly on par, while Tewelde slightly fading - and his sprinter Lavoine is not really in his slipstream. Suboptimal work of the Kulczyk train!
Meanwhile, Roglic has launched Kupfernagel, who has quite a good speed now. Vaquera and Jones are well positioned, too, whereas Lavoine, as said before, is quite far behind his leadout and is still waiting. So is Reinhardt, whereas Boev and Ranneries try to find their way on the rightmost lane.
Kittel is still quite well in the mix, too - at least he's ahead of Krieger and Jaser.
400m remaining, and Canelon seems to start fading! Vanderaerden and Ulanowski are still roughly on level terms, but Jones has gained a lot of ground!
Lavoine has finally found Tewelde's wheel - let's see if that's too late! Kupfernagel and Vaquera try to make use of the free space on the left side, whereas Boev, Reinhardt and Ranneries might have a hard time breaking through the line of riders ahead of them!
Let's just recap the situation:
Canelon
Ulanowski
Vanderaerden
Jones
Kupfernagel
Tewelde
Lavoine
Reinhardt
Boev
Ranneries
Kulppi
Krieger
Kittel
Jaser
We have only 300 meters to go, with Canelon still holding on to his lead! But Vanderaerden, Jones and Ulanowski are far to be done, with Kupfernagel and Vaquera. And don't rule out Lavoine, who has finally passed his leadout and has some free space ahead!
Reinhardt, Boev and Ranneries may well have a good speed now, but finding a breach in this seven-rider-wall will not be an obvious task!
With 200m left, Jones has now taken 2nd place, and Canelon is really struggling as well! Can the amateur sprinter create a huge upset here?
Vanderaerden and Ulanowski are still in the race, too, and Lavoine now definitely has found his top speed! Kupfernagel and Vaquera don't seem to find that required extra gear, though.
One hundred meters to the finish line, and it's almost impossible to say who is 1st and 2nd - Canelon or Jones? The same holds for 3rd and 4th, with Ulanowski and Vanderaerden still pretty much on par. Lavoine is getting closer and closer - will he run out of road?
And now we have a race between Jones and Ulanowski, as Canelon and Vanderaerden are running out of gas! Lavoine, Kupfernagel and Vaquera still have a chance for 3rd place, if they manage to pass Canelon!
It's Brenton Jones! The Australian amateur gets a huge result here in Freilassing, with Maciej Ulanowski and Hersony Canelon, who was able to find some last energy reserve, on the remaining podium spots. What a great finish by the VIP Mobile sprinter!
And who will take the next places?
It's Danilo Kupfernagel, who will be disappointed about missing out on a win on home soil by so little. He edges out Lavoine, whose timing was simply not good enough. Cesar Vaquera takes 6th.
7th goes to Igor Boev, ahead of a disappointed Theo Reinhardt. His team worked so hard, and all they got was an 8th place. The same can be said for Berg Cycles and Kulczyk, though, who got 4th and 5th places today.
Michael Vanderaerden and Christian Ranneries take the remaining Top 10 spots.
Marcel Kittel therefore easily defends his yellow jersey - and even gets two points for the blue jersey! These may be decisive, depending on what the next two days will bring...
But first, let's celebrate Brenton Jones, who outsprinted all the CT and PCT sprinters in this stage - congratulations!
As said before, Marcel Kittel easily keeps the yellow jersey - which will surely change shoulders tomorrow. He's got more chances to keep blue or re-gain it on the last stage, though!
None of the GC favorites lost time today, so the race for the GC win is still as wide open as it was after yesterday's opening stage.
The mountain jersey goes to David Gaudu, who collected the maximum of 20 points today. However, even more points are at stake tomorrow - he'll not have an easy task to defend the polka dots!
Szymon Rekita remains the U25 leader, while Team UBS keeps the lead in the team standings, despite a disappointing result on this stage.
That's all for today. Tomorrow will hopefully see a lot of action - and we'll certainly have some decisive wins or losses already!
Bayern Rundfahrt 
