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Sunday, July 2: Stage 2, Düsseldorf - Liège, 203.5 km

Stage 2 map and profile | Stage 2 photos | Organizer's stage 2 preview

Marcel Kittel wins stage two. Photo ASO/ Pauline Ballet

Weather at the finish city of Liège at 2:06 PM, local time: 64F, cloudy, with the wind from the WSW at 11mph. 40% chance of rain. As I type this there is rain on the peloton that has ridden 80 kilometers.

Stage 2 rated ascents:

• Km 6.5: Côte de Grafenberg, 1.4 km @ 4.5% - cat. 4
• Km 183.0: Côte d'Olne, 1.3 km @ 4.7% - cat. 4

The Race: 196 riders started at 12:29 PM. Immediately a break went clear: Romain Hardy (Fortuneo-Oscaro), Thomas Boudat (Direct Energie), Taylor Phinney (Cannondale-Drapac) and Yoann Offredo (Wanty). At kilometer 120, the four riders had a 2min 10sec gap.

Luke Durbridge (Orica-Scott), who crashed yesterday, is the third rider to quit the Tour de France after Alejandro Valverde and Jon Izagirre. He has an injured ankle.

85 km to go: the four-rider break is being kept pegged at a little over 2min.

50 km to go: Raining hard as the pack goes through Aachen, thus leaving Germany and heading into Belgium. The four breakaways are 2min 30sec up the road. With a bit more than hour to go, it is not raining in the finish town of Liège. We'll see.

40 km to go: In pouring rain, the sprinters' teams have gone to work, closing the gap to the break. The four riders' lead is down to 1min 20sec. No, as I typed this, it's 1min 4sec.

30 km to go: Froome and Bardet among others, have crashed! Froome is back up and being led by Kwiatkowski back to the peloton. Taylor Phinney won both of the KOM climbs and will be wearing dots tomorrow.

The finish: The escapees were all rounded up with one kilometer to go. Chris Froome and Romain Bardet made it back to the peloton after seven kilometers of chasing. From that reunited group Marcel Kittel won the stage. Geraint Thomas retained his GC lead.

Here's the organizer's telling of the days racing:

Germany's Marcel Kittel claimed his tenth stage victory at the Tour de France since 2013. He won the bunch sprint at quai des Ardennes in Liège ahead of French champion Arnaud Démare and André Greipel who remains ahead of his compatriot on the victory tally with eleven stage wins. Chris Froome and Romain Bardet crashed but finished in the peloton like Geraint Thomas who retained the yellow jersey.

196 riders listened to the European anthem as well as the French and the German ones during the starting ceremony in Düsseldorf after Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Ion Izagirre (Bahrain-Merida) had pulled out during the inaugural time trial. Luke Durbridge (Orica-Scott) was next to leave the race as he was also injured after a crash while racing against the clock. From the gun, Thomas Boudat (Direct Energie) initiated the first breakaway of the 104th Tour de France, quickly joined by Taylor Phinney (Cannondale-Drapac), Yoann Offredo (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) and Laurent Pichon (Fortuneo-Oscaro). Their advantage didn't exceed 3.25. All four escapees were debutants at the Tour de France this year but the bunch took them very seriously with the teams of the sprinters setting a steady pace at the front: Lotto-Soudal, Quick-Step Floors, Dimension Data, FDJ, Katusha-Alpecin…

For his Tour debut, Phinney was smart enough to sprint at Grafenberg, km 6.5, to score one point in the King of the Mountains. He also outsprinted Pichon at Côte d'Olne with 20.5km to go to get the first polka dot jersey of the 2017 Tour de France, six years after another American, Tejay van Garderen, wore it.

It was raining badly when the peloton left Germany for Belgium for the last hour of stage 2. With 31km to go, Chris Froome (Sky) and Romain Bardet (AG2R-La Mondiale) were involved in a heavy crash but they made it across seven kilometers further. With 15km to go, Phinney and Offredo forged on while Pichon and Boudat were reeled in. Offredo was awarded the price of the most aggressive rider of the day. The duo still had 30 seconds lead with 4km to go but they got reeled in 1km before the end. Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step Floors) didn't have a real train to lead him out but he made his way to victory in the middle of the road to outsprint Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Merida) and André Greipel (Lotto-Soudal) who were leading the charge on the left side. Démare was on Kittel's side to take the second position. This is the 21st victory by a German rider at the Tour de France since 2013.

Complete Results:

Stage 2 photos

203.5 kilometers raced at an average speed of 44.1 km/hr

1	KITTEL MARCEL	QUICK-STEP FLOORS	4hr 37min 6sec
2	DEMARE ARNAUD	FDJ	s.t.
3	GREIPEL ANDRÉ	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
4	CAVENDISH MARK	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
5	GROENEWEGEN DYLAN	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
6	COLBRELLI SONNY	BAHRAIN-MERIDA	s.t.
7	SWIFT BEN	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
8	BOUHANNI NACER	COFIDIS	s.t.
9	MATTHEWS MICHAEL	TEAM SUNWEB	s.t.
10	SAGAN PETER	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
11	PASQUALON ANDREA	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
12	VANSPEYBROUCK PIETER	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
13	DEGENKOLB JOHN	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
14	MC LAY DANIEL	FORTUNEO-OSCARO	s.t.
15	KRISTOFF ALEXANDER	KATUSHA-ALPECIN	s.t.
16	TRENTIN MATTEO	QUICK-STEP FLOORS	s.t.
17	SMITH DION	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
18	TULIK ANGÉLO	DIRECT ENERGIE	s.t.
19	BOASSON HAGEN EDVALD	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
20	LUTSENKO ALEXEY	ASTANA	s.t.
21	KIRYIENKA VASILI	SKY	s.t.
22	VAN KEIRSBULCK GUILLAUME	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
23	ARASHIRO YUKIYA	BAHRAIN-MERIDA	s.t.
24	SABATINI FABIO	QUICK-STEP FLOORS	s.t.
25	MARTIN GUILLAUME	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
26	MC CARTHY JAY	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
27	ZABEL RICK	KATUSHA-ALPECIN	s.t.
28	CHAVANEL SYLVAIN	DIRECT ENERGIE	s.t.
29	PERICHON PIERRE-LUC	FORTUNEO-OSCARO	s.t.
30	HAYMAN MATHEW	ORICA-SCOTT	s.t.
31	YATES SIMON	ORICA-SCOTT	s.t.
32	KWIATKOWSKI MICHAL	SKY	s.t.
33	PETIT ADRIEN	DIRECT ENERGIE	s.t.
34	FUGLSANG JAKOB	ASTANA	s.t.
35	THOMAS GERAINT	SKY	s.t.
36	LAPORTE CHRISTOPHE	COFIDIS	s.t.
37	FROOME CHRISTOPHER	SKY	s.t.
38	CALMEJANE LILIAN	DIRECT ENERGIE	s.t.
39	BACKAERT FREDERIK	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
40	BENNATI DANIELE	MOVISTAR	s.t.
41	ULISSI DIEGO	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
42	BETANCUR CARLOS ALBERTO	MOVISTAR	s.t.
43	QUINTANA NAIRO	MOVISTAR	s.t.
44	CHAVES JOHAN ESTEBAN	ORICA-SCOTT	s.t.
45	MEINTJES LOUIS	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
46	PORTE RICHIE	BMC RACING TEAM	s.t.
47	WYSS DANILO	BMC RACING TEAM	s.t.
48	MARCATO MARCO	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
49	ALBASINI MICHAEL	ORICA-SCOTT	s.t.
50	ROELANDTS JURGEN	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
51	GRIVKO ANDRIY	ASTANA	s.t.
52	VAN AVERMAET GREG	BMC RACING TEAM	s.t.
53	SELIG RÜDIGER	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
54	MARTENS PAUL	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
55	BENOOT TIESJ	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
56	SIMON JULIEN	COFIDIS	s.t.
57	POLJANSKI PAWEL	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
58	MAJKA RAFAL	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
59	KREUZIGER ROMAN	ORICA-SCOTT	s.t.
60	ARU FABIO	ASTANA	s.t.
61	TALANSKY ANDREW	CANNONDALE-DRAPAC	s.t.
62	ERVITI IMANOL	MOVISTAR	s.t.
63	KEUKELEIRE JENS	ORICA-SCOTT	s.t.
64	DEGAND THOMAS	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
65	SÜTTERLIN JASHA	MOVISTAR	s.t.
66	GUARNIERI JACOPO	FDJ	s.t.
67	IMPEY DARYL	ORICA-SCOTT	s.t.
68	WELLENS TIM	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
69	DE KORT KOEN	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
70	FELLINE FABIO	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
71	CONTADOR ALBERTO	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
72	STYBAR ZDENEK	QUICK-STEP FLOORS	s.t.
73	GOGL MICHAEL	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
74	VAN EMDEN JOS	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
75	SENECHAL FLORIAN	COFIDIS	s.t.
76	FEILLU BRICE	FORTUNEO-OSCARO	s.t.
77	LATOUR PIERRE-ROGER	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
78	NAESEN OLIVER	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
79	BETTIOL ALBERTO	CANNONDALE-DRAPAC	s.t.
80	CURVERS ROY	TEAM SUNWEB	s.t.
81	GILBERT PHILIPPE	QUICK-STEP FLOORS	s.t.
82	URAN RIGOBERTO	CANNONDALE-DRAPAC	s.t.
83	ROOSEN TIMO	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
84	CARUSO DAMIANO	BMC RACING TEAM	s.t.
85	HENAO SERGIO LUIS	SKY	s.t.
86	BURGHARDT MARCUS	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
87	GAUTIER CYRIL	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
88	BARDET ROMAIN	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
89	VUILLERMOZ ALEXIS	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
90	BENNETT GEORGE	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
91	SAGAN JURAJ	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
92	SEPULVEDA EDUARDO	FORTUNEO-OSCARO	s.t.
93	BAKELANTS JAN	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
94	BAUER JACK	QUICK-STEP FLOORS	s.t.
95	FRANK MATHIAS	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
96	CLARKE SIMON	CANNONDALE-DRAPAC	s.t.
97	KUENG STEFAN	BMC RACING TEAM	s.t.
98	LANDA MIKEL	SKY	s.t.
99	ROCHE NICOLAS	BMC RACING TEAM	s.t.
100	VALGREN ANDERSEN MICHAEL	ASTANA	s.t.
101	SINKELDAM RAMON	TEAM SUNWEB	s.t.
102	GASTAUER BEN	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
103	POLITT NILS	KATUSHA-ALPECIN	s.t.
104	BODNAR MACIEJ	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
105	TEN DAM LAURENS	TEAM SUNWEB	s.t.
106	KISERLOVSKI ROBERT	KATUSHA-ALPECIN	s.t.
107	MOINARD AMAËL	BMC RACING TEAM	s.t.
108	ARNDT NIKIAS	TEAM SUNWEB	s.t.
109	MATE MARDONES LUIS ANGEL	COFIDIS	s.t.
110	HARDY ROMAIN	FORTUNEO-OSCARO	s.t.
111	BUCHMANN EMANUEL	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
112	RENSHAW MARK	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
113	MARTIN DANIEL	QUICK-STEP FLOORS	s.t.
114	CASTROVIEJO JONATHAN	MOVISTAR	s.t.
115	GESCHKE SIMON	TEAM SUNWEB	s.t.
116	BOUET MAXIME	FORTUNEO-OSCARO	s.t.
117	PAUWELS SERGE	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
118	LAENGEN VEGARD STAKE	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
119	BARGUIL WARREN	TEAM SUNWEB	s.t.
120	HOWSON DAMIEN	ORICA-SCOTT	s.t.
121	ROGLIC PRIMOZ	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
122	BRAJKOVIC JANEZ	BAHRAIN-MERIDA	s.t.
123	NIEVE MIKEL	SKY	s.t.
124	ZUBELDIA HAIMAR	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
125	PANTANO JARLINSON	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
126	MACHADO TIAGO	KATUSHA-ALPECIN	s.t.
127	BEVIN PATRICK	CANNONDALE-DRAPAC	s.t.
128	QUEMENEUR PERRIG	DIRECT ENERGIE	s.t.
129	MINNAARD MARCO	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
130	ROLLAND PIERRE	CANNONDALE-DRAPAC	s.t.
131	GESINK ROBERT	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
132	JANSE VAN RENSBURG REINARDT	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
133	GENE YOHANN	DIRECT ENERGIE	s.t.
134	ATAPUMA JOHN DARWIN	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
135	MOLARD RUDY	FDJ	s.t.
136	ZEITS ANDREY	ASTANA	s.t.
137	CATALDO DARIO	ASTANA	s.t.
138	IRIZAR MARKEL	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
139	SICARD ROMAIN	DIRECT ENERGIE	s.t.
140	BRAMBILLA GIANLUCA	QUICK-STEP FLOORS	s.t.
141	BAK LARS YTTING	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
142	VICHOT ARTHUR	FDJ	s.t.
143	GRMAY TSGABU GEBREMARYAM	BAHRAIN-MERIDA	s.t.
144	CINK ONDREJ	BAHRAIN-MERIDA	s.t.
145	DURASEK KRISTIJAN	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
146	PHINNEY TAYLOR	CANNONDALE-DRAPAC	s.t.
147	KNEES CHRISTIAN	SKY	s.t.
148	OFFREDO YOANN	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
149	SIEBERG MARCEL	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
150	BROWN NATHAN	CANNONDALE-DRAPAC	s.t.
151	EDET NICOLAS	COFIDIS	s.t.
152	HERRADA JESÚS	MOVISTAR	s.t.
153	TEUNISSEN MIKE	TEAM SUNWEB	s.t.
154	PINOT THIBAUT	FDJ	s.t.
155	EISEL BERNHARD	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
156	WAGNER ROBERT	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
157	DE MARCHI ALESSANDRO	BMC RACING TEAM	s.t.
158	MORI MANUELE	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
159	BOLE GREGA	BAHRAIN-MERIDA	s.t.
160	NAVARRO DANIEL	COFIDIS	s.t.
161	CUMMINGS STEPHEN	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
162	THWAITES SCOTT	DIMENSION DATA	+ 00' 26''
163	BOZIC BORUT	BAHRAIN-MERIDA	+ 00' 51''
164	CIMOLAI DAVIDE	FDJ	+ 00' 53''
165	VERMOTE JULIEN	QUICK-STEP FLOORS	+ 01' 00''
166	DE GENDT THOMAS	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
167	HANSEN ADAM	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
168	GRUZDEV DMITRIY	ASTANA	s.t.
169	TIMMER ALBERT	TEAM SUNWEB	s.t.
170	GESBERT ELIE	FORTUNEO-OSCARO	s.t.
171	VACHON FLORIAN	FORTUNEO-OSCARO	s.t.
172	BOUDAT THOMAS	DIRECT ENERGIE	+ 01' 23''
173	KONOVALOVAS IGNATAS	FDJ	+ 01' 31''
174	VOECKLER THOMAS	DIRECT ENERGIE	s.t.
175	VENTER JACOBUS	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
176	LE GAC OLIVIER	FDJ	+ 01' 46''
177	GALLOPIN TONY	LOTTO SOUDAL	+ 02' 49''
178	MOLLEMA BAUKE	TREK-SEGAFREDO	+ 00' 00''
179	PICHON LAURENT	FORTUNEO-OSCARO	+ 05' 12''
180	VAN BAARLE DYLAN	CANNONDALE-DRAPAC	+ 05' 47''
181	SCHÄR MICHAEL	BMC RACING TEAM	s.t.
182	MORENO BAZAN JAVIER	BAHRAIN-MERIDA	s.t.
183	KOZHATAYEV BAKHTIYAR	ASTANA	s.t.
184	LEMOINE CYRIL	COFIDIS	+ 09' 46''
185	LAMMERTINK MAURITS	KATUSHA-ALPECIN	s.t.
186	HALLER MARCO	KATUSHA-ALPECIN	s.t.
187	MARTIN TONY	KATUSHA-ALPECIN	s.t.
188	AMADOR ANDREY	MOVISTAR	s.t.
189	BONO MATTEO	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
190	DOMONT AXEL	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
191	CLAEYS DIMITRI	COFIDIS	+ 09' 49''
192	DELAGE MICKAËL	FDJ	+ 09' 53''
193	ROWE LUKE	SKY	+ 13' 55''
194	HOLLENSTEIN RETO	KATUSHA-ALPECIN	+ 15' 26''
195	LEEZER TOM	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.

GC after Stage 2:

• GC leader: Geraint Thomas (Sky)
• Points classification leader: Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step Floors)
• Mountains classification leader: Taylor Phinney (Cannondale-Drapac)
• Young rider classification leader: Stefan Küng (BMC)
• Team Classification leader: Team Sky

217.5 kilometers raced so far at an average speed of 44.514 km/hr

1	THOMAS GERAINT	SKY	4hr 53min 10sec
2	KUNG STEFAN	BMC RACING TEAM	@ 5sec
3	KITTEL MARCEL	QUICK-STEP FLOORS	+ 00' 06''
4	KIRYIENKA VASILI	SKY	+ 00' 07''
5	TRENTIN MATTEO	QUICK-STEP FLOORS	+ 00' 10''
6	FROOME CHRISTOPHER	SKY	+ 00' 12''
7	VAN EMDEN JOS	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 00' 15''
8	KWIATKOWSKI MICHAL	SKY	s.t.
9	BOASSON HAGEN EDVALD	DIMENSION DATA	+ 00' 16''
10	ARNDT NIKIAS	TEAM SUNWEB	s.t.
11	PHINNEY TAYLOR	CANNONDALE-DRAPAC	+ 00' 17''
12	GRIVKO ANDRIY	ASTANA	s.t.
13	IMPEY DARYL	ORICA-SCOTT	+ 00' 19''
14	CASTROVIEJO JONATHAN	MOVISTAR	+ 00' 20''
15	MATTHEWS MICHAEL	TEAM SUNWEB	s.t.
16	LATOUR PIERRE-ROGER	AG2R LA MONDIALE	+ 00' 25''
17	SAGAN PETER	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
18	LUTSENKO ALEXEY	ASTANA	+ 00' 29''
19	GILBERT PHILIPPE	QUICK-STEP FLOORS	+ 00' 30''
20	GESINK ROBERT	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 00' 31''
21	COLBRELLI SONNY	BAHRAIN-MERIDA	+ 00' 32''
22	WELLENS TIM	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
23	BODNAR MACIEJ	BORA-HANSGROHE	+ 00' 33''
24	ROOSEN TIMO	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 00' 34''
25	KRISTOFF ALEXANDER	KATUSHA-ALPECIN	+ 00' 36''
26	YATES SIMON	ORICA-SCOTT	+ 00' 37''
27	FELLINE FABIO	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
28	STYBAR ZDENEK	QUICK-STEP FLOORS	+ 00' 39''
29	DE MARCHI ALESSANDRO	BMC RACING TEAM	s.t.
30	BUCHMANN EMANUEL	BORA-HANSGROHE	+ 00' 40''
31	MARTENS PAUL	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
32	HERRADA JESÚS	MOVISTAR	s.t.
33	SÜTTERLIN JASHA	MOVISTAR	+ 00' 41''
34	TEUNISSEN MIKE	TEAM SUNWEB	s.t.
35	POLITT NILS	KATUSHA-ALPECIN	s.t.
36	VAN AVERMAET GREG	BMC RACING TEAM	+ 00' 42''
37	ALBASINI MICHAEL	ORICA-SCOTT	s.t.
38	HOWSON DAMIEN	ORICA-SCOTT	+ 00' 43''
39	ULISSI DIEGO	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
40	DEMARE ARNAUD	FDJ	s.t.
41	WAGNER ROBERT	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 00' 45''
42	GESCHKE SIMON	TEAM SUNWEB	+ 00' 46''
43	CARUSO DAMIANO	BMC RACING TEAM	+ 00' 47''
44	PORTE RICHIE	BMC RACING TEAM	s.t.
45	CHAVANEL SYLVAIN	DIRECT ENERGIE	+ 00' 48''
46	ERVITI IMANOL	MOVISTAR	s.t.
47	PANTANO JARLINSON	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
48	QUINTANA NAIRO	MOVISTAR	s.t.
49	MAJKA RAFAL	BORA-HANSGROHE	+ 00' 49''
50	TALANSKY ANDREW	CANNONDALE-DRAPAC	s.t.
51	BAUER JACK	QUICK-STEP FLOORS	s.t.
52	MARTIN DANIEL	QUICK-STEP FLOORS	s.t.
53	DEGENKOLB JOHN	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
54	PINOT THIBAUT	FDJ	+ 00' 50''
55	SICARD ROMAIN	DIRECT ENERGIE	s.t.
56	BARDET ROMAIN	AG2R LA MONDIALE	+ 00' 51''
57	BETTIOL ALBERTO	CANNONDALE-DRAPAC	+ 00' 52''
58	ROGLIC PRIMOZ	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
59	ARU FABIO	ASTANA	s.t.
60	CALMEJANE LILIAN	DIRECT ENERGIE	+ 00' 53''
61	GREIPEL ANDRÉ	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
62	CONTADOR ALBERTO	TREK-SEGAFREDO	+ 00' 54''
63	BETANCUR CARLOS ALBERTO	MOVISTAR	s.t.
64	FUGLSANG JAKOB	ASTANA	s.t.
65	DE KORT KOEN	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
66	VALGREN ANDERSEN MICHAEL	ASTANA	+ 00' 55''
67	CATALDO DARIO	ASTANA	s.t.
68	CUMMINGS STEPHEN	DIMENSION DATA	+ 00' 56''
69	BENNATI DANIELE	MOVISTAR	s.t.
70	KNEES CHRISTIAN	SKY	s.t.
71	KREUZIGER ROMAN	ORICA-SCOTT	s.t.
72	BARGUIL WARREN	TEAM SUNWEB	+ 00' 59''
73	MOLARD RUDY	FDJ	s.t.
74	PERICHON PIERRE-LUC	FORTUNEO-OSCARO	s.t.
75	BAK LARS YTTING	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
76	ROELANDTS JURGEN	LOTTO SOUDAL	+ 01' 00''
77	WYSS DANILO	BMC RACING TEAM	s.t.
78	EDET NICOLAS	COFIDIS	s.t.
79	HAYMAN MATHEW	ORICA-SCOTT	+ 01' 01''
80	VUILLERMOZ ALEXIS	AG2R LA MONDIALE	+ 01' 02''
81	CLARKE SIMON	CANNONDALE-DRAPAC	s.t.
82	IRIZAR MARKEL	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
83	TEN DAM LAURENS	TEAM SUNWEB	+ 01' 03''
84	URAN RIGOBERTO	CANNONDALE-DRAPAC	s.t.
85	KEUKELEIRE JENS	ORICA-SCOTT	+ 01' 04''
86	BOUET MAXIME	FORTUNEO-OSCARO	s.t.
87	MACHADO TIAGO	KATUSHA-ALPECIN	s.t.
88	BAKELANTS JAN	AG2R LA MONDIALE	+ 01' 05''
89	ZUBELDIA HAIMAR	TREK-SEGAFREDO	+ 01' 06''
90	BROWN NATHAN	CANNONDALE-DRAPAC	s.t.
91	LANDA MIKEL	SKY	+ 01' 08''
92	SWIFT BEN	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
93	FRANK MATHIAS	AG2R LA MONDIALE	+ 01' 09''
94	SEPULVEDA EDUARDO	FORTUNEO-OSCARO	s.t.
95	JANSE VAN RENSBURG REINARDT	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
96	PAUWELS SERGE	DIMENSION DATA	+ 01' 10''
97	GRMAY TSGABU GEBREMARYAM	BAHRAIN-MERIDA	s.t.
98	MC CARTHY JAY	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
99	GOGL MICHAEL	TREK-SEGAFREDO	s.t.
100	SIEBERG MARCEL	LOTTO SOUDAL	+ 01' 11''
101	LAENGEN VEGARD STAKE	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
102	MEINTJES LOUIS	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	+ 01' 12''
103	MC LAY DANIEL	FORTUNEO-OSCARO	s.t.
104	MORI MANUELE	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
105	CHAVES JOHAN ESTEBAN	ORICA-SCOTT	+ 01' 13''
106	CINK ONDREJ	BAHRAIN-MERIDA	s.t.
107	SINKELDAM RAMON	TEAM SUNWEB	s.t.
108	GASTAUER BEN	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
109	LAPORTE CHRISTOPHE	COFIDIS	+ 01' 14''
110	SABATINI FABIO	QUICK-STEP FLOORS	s.t.
111	ROCHE NICOLAS	BMC RACING TEAM	s.t.
112	BENOOT TIESJ	LOTTO SOUDAL	+ 01' 15''
113	ROLLAND PIERRE	CANNONDALE-DRAPAC	+ 01' 16''
114	HENAO SERGIO LUIS	SKY	s.t.
115	NAESEN OLIVER	AG2R LA MONDIALE	s.t.
116	BRAMBILLA GIANLUCA	QUICK-STEP FLOORS	s.t.
117	BACKAERT FREDERIK	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 01' 17''
118	MOLLEMA BAUKE	TREK-SEGAFREDO	+ 01' 18''
119	NIEVE MIKEL	SKY	+ 01' 20''
120	BOLE GREGA	BAHRAIN-MERIDA	s.t.
121	BRAJKOVIC JANEZ	BAHRAIN-MERIDA	s.t.
122	MARCATO MARCO	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	+ 01' 21''
123	PASQUALON ANDREA	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 01' 23''
124	SENECHAL FLORIAN	COFIDIS	+ 01' 24''
125	MOINARD AMAËL	BMC RACING TEAM	+ 01' 25''
126	FEILLU BRICE	FORTUNEO-OSCARO	s.t.
127	GENE YOHANN	DIRECT ENERGIE	+ 01' 27''
128	TULIK ANGÉLO	DIRECT ENERGIE	s.t.
129	SIMON JULIEN	COFIDIS	+ 01' 29''
130	OFFREDO YOANN	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
131	VICHOT ARTHUR	FDJ	s.t.
132	DEGAND THOMAS	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
133	POLJANSKI PAWEL	BORA-HANSGROHE	+ 01' 32''
134	VANSPEYBROUCK PIETER	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 01' 36''
135	SAGAN JURAJ	BORA-HANSGROHE	+ 01' 37''
136	BENNETT GEORGE	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	s.t.
137	SELIG RÜDIGER	BORA-HANSGROHE	+ 01' 41''
138	MARTIN GUILLAUME	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 01' 42''
139	EISEL BERNHARD	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
140	GAUTIER CYRIL	AG2R LA MONDIALE	+ 01' 43''
141	ZEITS ANDREY	ASTANA	s.t.
142	MINNAARD MARCO	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
143	BURGHARDT MARCUS	BORA-HANSGROHE	s.t.
144	HARDY ROMAIN	FORTUNEO-OSCARO	+ 01' 45''
145	PETIT ADRIEN	DIRECT ENERGIE	+ 01' 45''
146	ARASHIRO YUKIYA	BAHRAIN-MERIDA	+ 01' 46''
147	CAVENDISH MARK	DIMENSION DATA	s.t.
148	QUEMENEUR PERRIG	DIRECT ENERGIE	+ 01' 47''
149	SMITH DION	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	s.t.
150	GUARNIERI JACOPO	FDJ	+ 01' 48''
151	BEVIN PATRICK	CANNONDALE-DRAPAC	s.t.
152	RENSHAW MARK	DIMENSION DATA	+ 01' 50''
153	TIMMER ALBERT	TEAM SUNWEB	+ 01' 51''
154	VAN KEIRSBULCK GUILLAUME	WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT	+ 01' 54''
155	GRUZDEV DMITRIY	ASTANA	s.t.
156	GROENEWEGEN DYLAN	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 01' 55''
157	NAVARRO DANIEL	COFIDIS	+ 01' 57''
158	DURASEK KRISTIJAN	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	s.t.
159	VERMOTE JULIEN	QUICK-STEP FLOORS	+ 01' 58''
160	CURVERS ROY	TEAM SUNWEB	+ 02' 12''
161	ZABEL RICK	KATUSHA-ALPECIN	s.t.
162	KISERLOVSKI ROBERT	KATUSHA-ALPECIN	+ 02' 13''
163	MATE MARDONES LUIS ANGEL	COFIDIS	s.t.
164	THWAITES SCOTT	DIMENSION DATA	+ 02' 16''
165	KONOVALOVAS IGNATAS	FDJ	+ 02' 17''
166	VACHON FLORIAN	FORTUNEO-OSCARO	s.t.
167	DE GENDT THOMAS	LOTTO SOUDAL	s.t.
168	GESBERT ELIE	FORTUNEO-OSCARO	+ 02' 20''
169	BOUHANNI NACER	COFIDIS	+ 02' 23''
170	ATAPUMA JOHN DARWIN	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	+ 02' 26''
171	BOZIC BORUT	BAHRAIN-MERIDA	+ 02' 31''
172	CIMOLAI DAVIDE	FDJ	+ 02' 33''
173	BOUDAT THOMAS	DIRECT ENERGIE	+ 02' 50''
174	VENTER JACOBUS	DIMENSION DATA	+ 02' 51''
175	HANSEN ADAM	LOTTO SOUDAL	+ 02' 59''
176	VOECKLER THOMAS	DIRECT ENERGIE	+ 03' 03''
177	LE GAC OLIVIER	FDJ	+ 03' 06''
178	GALLOPIN TONY	LOTTO SOUDAL	+ 05' 52''
179	SCHÄR MICHAEL	BMC RACING TEAM	+ 06' 31''
180	VAN BAARLE DYLAN	CANNONDALE-DRAPAC	s.t.
181	PICHON LAURENT	FORTUNEO-OSCARO	+ 06' 51''
182	MORENO BAZAN JAVIER	BAHRAIN-MERIDA	+ 07' 07''
183	KOZHATAYEV BAKHTIYAR	ASTANA	+ 07' 15''
184	MARTIN TONY	KATUSHA-ALPECIN	+ 09' 54''
185	AMADOR ANDREY	MOVISTAR	+ 10' 13''
186	LEMOINE CYRIL	COFIDIS	+ 10' 47''
187	LAMMERTINK MAURITS	KATUSHA-ALPECIN	+ 10' 49''
188	DOMONT AXEL	AG2R LA MONDIALE	+ 11' 02''
189	BONO MATTEO	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	+ 11' 06''
190	CLAEYS DIMITRI	COFIDIS	+ 11' 09''
191	HALLER MARCO	KATUSHA-ALPECIN	+ 11' 15''
192	DELAGE MICKAËL	FDJ	+ 11' 16''
193	ROWE LUKE	SKY	+ 15' 45''
194	HOLLENSTEIN RETO	KATUSHA-ALPECIN	+ 16' 02''
195	LEEZER TOM	LOTTO NL-JUMBO	+ 16' 46''

Stage 2 map and profile:

Stage 2 map

Stage 2 profile

Stage 2 photos by Fotoreporter Sirotti:

Chris Froome on his way to the start line

Mark Cavendish

Peter Sagan

Richie Porte is about ready to race.

GC leader Geraint Thomas

Here they come!

Marcel Kittel knows he's got it

And he's sitting up before the line.

Taylor Phinney is the King of the Mountains

Stage winner Marcel Kittel

Geraint Thomas will start stage three in yellow.

Organizer's Stage 2 preview:

Liège in cycling means a lot of hills before coming to town as Liège-Bastogne-Liège is one of the hardest race on the international calendar but stage 2 is dedicated to the sprinters. Only two category 4 climbs are on the map: Grafenberg after only 6.5km and the côte d'Olne 20.5km before the end. There's something unprecedented on the route: 35 kilometres after leaving Düsseldorf, the riders will come back to the starting town after a visit to the Neanderthal man at the prehistoric site of the Neander valley.

Geraint Thomas will enjoy his first day ever in the yellow jersey ten years after he made his debut at the Tour de France in London. Moreover, Team Sky will savor their domination on stage 1 as they placed four riders in the top 8 of a Tour de France stage for the first time since the foundation of the team in 2010. Germany's Marcel Kittel of Quick-Step Floors was the highest ranked of the top sprinters in the inaugural time trial. It makes him the hot favourite in case of a bunch sprint in Liège but his deficit of sixteen seconds doesn't enable him to move into the yellow jersey throughout the time bonuses as only ten seconds are awarded to the stage winner. His compatriot Nikias Arndt of Team Sunweb rode the time trial just as fast as him. He'll be the local hero on German soil until Philippe Gilbert's fans will take over as the last 48.5km will be contested in Wallonia. Gilbert will race as Kittel's domestique though.

The other top sprinters to watch are André Greipel (Lotto-Soudal), world champion Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe), French champion Arnaud Démare (FDJ), Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data), John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo), Michael Matthews (Sunweb) and Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis).

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