The winner of the 1998 Tour de France, Marco Pantani is having some trouble with his bike. Two fellow Mercatone Uno riders have dropped back to make sure he gets back to the peloton without any trouble. Yet There has been little action in the first half-hour of racing in the second stage. The peloton is still all together with little sign of any attacking intentions yet. Bonuses As well as the three intermediate time bonuses, there are also time gains available for the first three riders at the finish for all road stages this year.
Today There are three intermediate sprints today.
Today Today's 194km route from Futuroscope to Loudun has no climbs at all. Marcel Wust will therefore continue to wear the polka-dot jersey through to tomorrow's third stage. In Climber's Jersey. The King of the Mountains jersey was decided yesterday by timing the fastest rider to ride up the 107 meter rise of the Cote de Jaunay Clan. After 10 minutes of racing the peloton is all together.