On 25 April 2010, Sylvain Chavanel cracked his skull in a crash in the Belgian Ardennes. On 5 July, he raced over similar roads like a true champion. He was determined to have an impact in the second stage of the Tour de France: after attacking at the 10km mark, he lured seven others to join him in an escape group. His team-mate, Jerome Pineau was part of this posse and he collected the polka-dot jersey by sprinting up the small climbs leading to Spa. But Quickstep earned more than a consolation in Belgium. With Chavanel inspired, the peloton splintered – by crashes and, later, polemics – the Frenchman bolted ahead of his rivals and onward to an incredible win.On a day of many stories, one of the more memorable incidents was a crash on the descent of the Stockeu climb that took out Andy and Frank Schleck and caused Contador and Armstrong to lose time as well. Eventually the peloton would all come back together but only after a half hour of total drama. With frayed nerves, from the crashes and wet weather and slippery descents the peloton arrived at the finish en masse in a show of solidarity 3’56” behind Chavanel.
The Progress Report
The 201km second stage of the 2010 Tour de France began at 12.35pm. There were 194 riders at the sign on, with Adam Hansen (THR) the only rider to abandon because of a fall in stage one. He fractured his left collarbone. There were three intermediate sprints – in Perwez (39.5km), Seny (112km) and Coo (177km) – and six climbs. The first points for the polka-dot jersey were awarded atop the côte de France (98km), Filot (128.5km), Werbomont (136km), Aisomont (161.5km), col de Stockeu (167.5km) and the col du Rosier (189km).
Chavanel Instigates Escape
The first successful escape was instigated by Sylvain Chavanel (QST) after 10km of racing. He was caught by seven others: Lloyd and Roelandts (OLO), Burghardt (BMC), Pineau (QST), Turgot (BTL), Taaramae (COF) and Gavazzi (LAM). The peloton was content with the selection and allowed this group to gain time quickly: 6’55” at 32km was the maximum gain. The pace was rapid with an average speed for the first hour of 46.8km/h and 46.4km/h for the second hour. Once in the Provence de Liege rain started to fall and the pace dropped a little on the up-and-down terrain of the Ardennes. The average for the third hour was 38.7km/h.
Pineau attacked along with Taaramae and Lloyd on each of the first three climbs and the Frenchman led over the line – taking three points each time.
Delage Crashes Out
Around the 57km to go mark, there was a crash involving Dean (GRM), Karpets (KAT), Mickael Delage (OLO) and several others. The New Zealander and Russian continued but the Frenchman was forced to abandon the race after sustaining cuts to his face.
Chaos On Stockeu Descent!
Gavazzi started the attacking on the fourth climb. This caused the lead group to split; Turgot and Lloyd were the first to retreat to the peloton (with 40km to go). Pineau collected first place at the top of the Stockeu climb. Gavazzi was fourth over the summit and, as he tried to catch the leaders, he crashed. That was the beginning of a scene of chaos: the following camera motorcycling crashed into the Italian and then, as the peloton arrived, several riders crashed while trying to avoid the bodies and bikes lying on the road. Riders involved in accidents included Andy and Frank Schleck (SAX), Contador (AST) and Armstrong (RSH) were also involved.
The peloton split into three distinct groups: one containing Cancellara and Evans (amongst 33 other riders), Armstrong and Contador (in a similar sized group), and the Schleck brothers in the third peloton.
At the foot of the final climb Chavanel was on his own: he led Monfort (THR) by 47”, Cancellara’s group by 1’40”, the Contador/Armstrong group by 2’35”; and the Schleck peloton by 3’40”. There was a moment of truce in Cancellara’s group as he tried to calm the situation out of respect for the fallen riders. It lasted a couple of kilometers before Cervelo sent riders to the front of the yellow jersey’s group. They set a furious tempo as they pursued Chavanel.
Chavanel Wins The Stage & Takes Yellow
Eventually, between the Stockeu and Rosier climbs, the three pelotons merged. And Chavanel turned into the only man interested in racing for a result in the stage. After a brief consultation with the race jury’s car, Cancellara moved to the front of the peloton and arranged a display of solidarity on a day of most intriguing racing. The Frenchman won his second stage (following a victory in Montlucon late in the 2008 edition) and took over the lead of the general classification. The rest of the peloton rolled across the line, 3’56” behind the stage winner who earned a victory with panache. Even though the other riders eased their efforts, it was only in the final kilometer that they settled on a tranquil pace.
Chavanel will wear the yellow jersey in stage three. He leads Cancellara by 2’57".