That’s all from me for this afternoon with the team time trial tomorrow. Thanks for reading and have a good evening.
Jeremy Whittle’s race report will appear here.
Confirmation of the top 10 in the General Classification
1. Peter Sagan (SVK) Bora-Hansgrohe 8:29:53
2. Fernando Gaviria (COL) Quick-Step Floors +0:00:06
3. Sonny Colbrelli (ITA) Bahrain-Merida +0:00:10
4. Marcel Kittel (GER) Katusha-Alpecin +0:00:12
5. Sylvain Chavanel (FRA) Direct Energie +0:00:13
6. Philippe Gilbert (BEL) Quick-Step Floors +0:00:14
7. Geraint Thomas (GBR) Team Sky +0:00:15
8. Oliver Naesen (Bel) AG2R La Mondiale same time
9. Alexander Kristoff (NOR) UAE Team Emirates +0:00:16
10. John Degenkolb (GER) (Trek-Segafredo) same time
Mark Cavendish had a bit of indifferent day again, not featuring in the bunched sprint, and doesn’t seem himself.
Cavendish told ITV: “It’s a common misconception a sprint day is an easy day. There’s more stress on these days, everybody is there and stressed to go. You have these battles go on constantly and takes your energy from your head from concentration.
“Your elbow is touching the hip of another rider the whole day and because everybody is fatigued, that’s when accidents happen. Just glad all our guys were okay. I felt a bit better today but we’ll keep trying... it’s easier said than done but we’ll try.”
It’s Sagan’s ninth individual Tour stage victory and will be especially sweet given his controversial disqualification last year.
As means as a nice piece of symmetry, the last person to win a Tour stage into La Roche-sur-Yon was also a world champion at the time – Belgium’s Éloi Meulenberg in 1938.
Confirmation of the top five, barring any protests from Trek
1. Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) 4:16.37
2. Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Merida) same time
3. Arnaud Demare (FDJ) s.t
4. Andre Greipel (Lotto-Soudal) s.t
5. Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates (s.t
Sagan speaks
“I’m really happy for today and a big thanks to all my team-mates. They were in the front the last 30km and in the end I expected something more easy but up, down, turning right... and then it started to climb again.
“Demare went with Degenkolb and I tried to take them. And thankfully Colbrelli couldn’t jump me.
“The yellow jersey? For one day, I’m very happy.”
He also dedicated the victory to his son Marlon.
As a means of a quick recap
- Sylvain Chavanel led for the majority of the stage before being caught just after the second intermediate sprint.
- Marcel Kittel suffered a rearwheel puncture putting him out of contention.
- The sprint teams took over in the final 5km but a crash on one of the final corners sent Fernando Gaviria to the floor.
- Peter Sagan won a reduced bunch sprint ahead of Arnaud Démare and Sonny Colbrelli and now takes the yellow jersey.
- All the GC contenders came home safely in the same group.
The finish in slow-mo
Peter Sagan wins it! 🎖️ 🌈@petosagan s'impose ! 🎖️🌈#TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/6tO3lqVVEA
— Le Tour de France (@LeTour) July 8, 2018
Johan Degenkolb came home in ninth but wasn’t happy with Sagan who appeared to raise his arm slightly passing the German. The Trek rider may launched a protest.
Was pretty tight with a late charge from Sonny Collbrelli of Bahrain-Merida who got within half a wheel to finish second behind Sagan. Demare third.
Textbook Sagan. Demare went early to give him a lead-out and he stuck on his wheel and accelerated at the right moment.
But no! Sagan powers past Demare to take the stage
Updated
Here comes Demare
Quickstep may now turn to Alaphilippe to take them home
BIG CRASH! Fernando Gaviria down but back up. Michael Mathewsof Sunweb also down
Marcel Sieberg has the front now, looking for Andre Greipel
Quickstep have Lotto Soudal on their shoulder. Getting tasty. Quite a few curves to the finish as well.
Quickstep pushing the pace with Julian Alaphilippe assuming the lead. GC teams have now dropped off.
We’re into the final three miles and it’s starting to get vertical. A 3% incline. Bora-Hansgrohe (Sagan) and Lotto Soudal (Andre Greipel) in control
Mitchelton-Scott’s Luke Derbridge did well there. Not in racing but in dodging the incoming traffic after coming off his bike. He’ll like just drift home now at his own leisure.
We probably won’t be seeing Marcel Kittel in green at the end of the day. The German has suffered a puncture and is way back. Kittel has time to catch the front but may feel it’s not worth the energy reserves.
Just five miles (8km) to go. Quickstep are trying to assume control.
Lots of big GC contenders up there; Froome, Alejandro Valverde, Nairo Quintana, Richie Porte... the sprinters watching and waiting as it stands.
Team Sky and Movistar at the front but Lotto Soudal and Bora-Hansgrohe have a presence; Griepel v Sagan would be fun.
Chavanel has been swallowed up and we’re seeing how the sprinters line up for the final run into La Roche-sur-Yon.
Behind Chavanel, Quickstep’s Philippe Gilbert picked up the 2sec bonus and Geraint Thomas, ahead of team-mate Froome, 1sec.
Chavanel claims the 3sec time bonus. Well done, Sylvain.
Chris Froome fancying a bit of the time bonus here. Team Sky really pushing Quickstep at the front of the peloton.
The peloton has Chavanel in its sights and there is just over two miles until the second intermediate sprint.
Sylvain Chavanel is pushing and pushing and pushing but his lead is now under 30secs and the big boys are beginning to make their faces known.
This from Alun
@piercy360 @itvcycling How would Neymar have coped with that Sanchez crash? Not well I guess #TDF18
— Alun (@Dic_Penderyn) July 8, 2018
Swings and roundabouts, I guess. Be interesting/ridiculous if diving crept into cycling. Riders deliberately going down to punish other riders. Then again, maybe not...
Oh dear Arnaud Démare. The French favourite had issues yesterday when he was involved in a crash and now finds himself with more work to do having stopped for an equipment change. The FDJ rider has plenty of time to get back amongst it but it’s not ideal. “Arnaud’s having a Démare” etc
Before it gets hectic with 15 miles (25km) remaining. Take in some fan photos.
Sylvain Chavanel, meanwhile, is 1:15 ahead. Declercq and Jay Thomson still setting the pace at the front of the peloton.
Having put some serious work in, Yates is now back among the peloton and trying to move towards the front.
Adam Yates in trouble, a clash of wheels has left him with a cut elbow, a bike change and some time to catch up the back of the peloton. Not been a great start to the Tour for Yates.
Trek-Segafredo have confirmed that Tsgabu Grmay abandoned the race due to severe abdominal pain. Best wishes with him.
For those who like engines in their machines (no jokes please), Sebastian Vettel has just won the British Grand Prix.
Ben Fisher has all the news here.
A glimpse of poor Luis Leon Sanchez’s injuries. That’s going to smart in the morning.
🏁 38 km@LLEONSANCHEZ is too injured to keep on fighting. This the 2nd abandon of this stage. 🚑
— Le Tour de France (@LeTour) July 8, 2018
Luis Leon Sanchez ne parvient pas à repartir. C'est le 2e abandon de cette étape. 🚑
Courage, @LLEONSANCHEZ ! 💪
Live 👉 https://t.co/OK5buI9uXQ#TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/K8QgcHMRl8
Meanwhile, Sylvain Chavanel is battling on but the lead is at 1:50. It’s been hell of a effort and, even when he is caught by the peloton, he’ll surely be claiming the combativity award at the end of the stage.
A bike was prepared but Sanchez took one look at it and said ‘no’ before moving to the medical van holding his right arm. That’s two exits today following Tsgabu Grmay of Trek-Segafredo who appeared to be ill.
He’s chatting to team officials but there’s little movement or inclination to get back on his bike. He’s up and walking around but looks in a lot of pain. Seemed to be a cross of wheels with a Cofidis rider who was able to continue.
We have another crash. Astana’s Luis Leon Sanchez is in big trouble. Sat on the pavement with his left arm bleeding. It doesn’t look good.
Dimension Data’s Jay Thomson, incidentally, has stayed at the front of the peloton alongside Tim Declercq.
For those enjoying Sylvain Chavanel’s day in the sun, savour it while you can. He’s now 2:15 ahead and has lost nearly half his lead over the last six miles. The peloton is on the move.
Strange to see Jay Thomson seize the initiative on his own only for Mark Cavendish to not even contest the sprint. Either the Manxman is keeping his powder dry for the finish or, adding to his curious comments last night, maybe doesn’t feel on it for today. Or if it’s worth trying to pursue Gaviria and Sagan. Time will tell...
That burst of pace has reduced Sylvain Chavanel’s lead to 3:07. With Quickstep re-assuming control of the peloton.
Arnaud Démare tried a late sprint but Sagan gave it the full kick and claimed the 17 points ahead of Fernando Gaviria and Alexander Kristoff of UAE Team Emirates.
And Bora-Hansgrohe take a full lead-out of four riders with Peter Sagan in tow
Thomson looks a bit isolated, surrounded by Lotto Soudal (Andre Greipel), Quickstep (Fernando Gaviria) and Katusha (Marcelo Kittel) riders. Maybe Cavendish doesn’t fancy this sprint...
Dimension Data’s move has seen the peloton quicken ahead of the sprint with 17 green jersey points available for the next best finisher after Chavanel (who has just claimed the 20).
Sylvain Chavanel is 1km from a nice, fat 20 points in the green jersey standings.
Jay Thomson of Dimension Data has now moved to the front of the peloton which implies a certain Mark Cavendish is going to go for this intermediate sprint, which offers green jersey points (the second is the time bonus, apologies).
Love for Direct Energie is strong in the Vendée
Well, fair play to Chavanel and excuse me for doubting him but extended his advantage back out to 4:30, with the peloton slowly a little. We’re not far from the intermediate sprint so Sylvain looks to have picked himself up the first time bonus.
Some interesting data on who’s putting the legwork in at the front of the peloton.
Gaviria's @quickstepteam has received some help to try and make sure stage 2 finishes with a bunch sprint#TDF2018 #TDFdata pic.twitter.com/NDEvLowaxl
— letourdata (@letourdata) July 8, 2018
Chavanel seems a popular man in France, with the peloton and among fans across the cycling world.
Here’s Matt Cast with his own tribute via email.
Seeing as there’s not much going on, it’s a good chance for me to ramble on about Sylvain Chavanel. Although his palmarès may not be considered world-class, he was a shining light for French cycling from about 2007-2012, when only he and Voeckler really consistently turned up for the biggest races. He came so close to winning Paris-Nice several times and just missed out on the Tour des Flandres in 2011. He’s always been an attacking entertaining rider and comes across as an honest, straightforward guy who has always done things the right way despite starting his career during the darkest days of LA and company. It’s great to see him in front getting the adulation he deserves.
Before Chavanel is caught, although he’s now pushed back to a 3:12 lead, here’s a nice shot of him.
Chavanel’s lead has dropped below 3mins and it’s a matter of when the peloton catch him. Presumably in time for the first intermediate sprint which is around nine miles away.
The peloton is slowly but surely catching Sylvain Chavanel. The veteran has lost 40 seconds over the last 15 miles or so. His lead is now 3:18.
At the front of the peloton, Yves Lampaert is dishing out the drinks to his Quickstep team-mates; Tim Declercq, Bob Jungels, Philippe Gilbert, Niki Terpstra, Julian Alaphilippe, Ariel Maximiliano Richeze and the man in yellow, Fernando Gaviria – that is some lineup.
Mark Cavendish’s team-mate and a key part of his lead-out train, Reinardt Janse van Rensburg, is having a frustrating time, having to stop as his chain comes off, twists and takes some time to correct.
Chris Froome is nicely positioned among the rest of Team Sky just behind the front of the peloton, keeping a low profile after yesterday’s crash.
The four-time winner has a sizeable plaster on his right knee and some nasty grazes across his shin.
Thankfully, Molard can continue, grimacing as he battles on. Unclear exactly what happened but he was the only rider to have come off their bike.
Ouch. Groupama–FDJ’s Rudy Molard looks in a world of pain as he hits the deck. He’s limping and trying to continue but there looks a problem with his bike as well.
Bit of a shame with the Tour losing its only African rider as Trek’s Tsgabu Grmay has pulled out. There wasn’t a crash or any notable equipment issue either. The Ethiopian was in some form having finished 17th in the GC at the Critérium du Dauphiné.
We’re approaching the halfway mark. Chavanel is 4:13 ahead and Belgians Declercq and national champion Yves Lampaert are having a bit of a fun and a joke at the front.
Updated
Not a great deal going on in the peloton. Declercq and Terpstra are still there leading Quickstep, with Lotto Soudal just nudging ahead of Team Sky behind them.
Of the 17 previous Tours he’s raced, Chavanel has completed all but two of them. That is some shift.
Sylvain Chavanel’s remarkable 18 appearances at the Tour de France is a new record, with the Frenchman overtaking Germany’s Jens Voigt (1998-2014) and Australian warhorse Stuart O’Grady (1997-2013) on 17.
Huge Congratulations to @chava_sylvain for his Record of 18 TDF’s. It’s very deserved that a Frenchman holds this record. He is an absolute Champion rider but more importantly a Champion person. Chapeau! @LeTour #mummuontour pic.twitter.com/gPneivJW1P
— Stuart O'Grady (@StueyOG) July 8, 2018
Sagan has now got some rather fetching shades on. A hot summer’s day in the French countryside – flies, dust, grit, grass... all sorts being kicked up into the rider’s faces. Strange he didn’t have them on from the start.
Peter Sagan has dropped back with some discussions with his team and to take a drink. He didn’t look entirely pleased about everything, gesturing with his hands over his face and there seemed to be an issue with his helmet.
Chavanel celebrating his own milestone as well today. It’s his 350th day competing at the Tour – you can do your own calculations as to the distance of that. Some double high-fives with the crowd (wide-10s, maybe). Lovely day in the sun for the Frenchman. Lead is at 4:07.
Sylvain Chavanel’s lead continues to hover around the 4min mark with the peloton not showing too much concern just yet.
To read more on that Porte news, best head to Cycling News who have broken the story.
Transfer klaxon. It seems Richie Porte is a man on the move, switching from BMC to Trek-Segafredo for 2019. BMC have been suffering financial problems having lost some staff earlier this month, including Porte’s primary coach David Bailey. The timing, however, is somewhat surprising.
Porte has been with BMC since 2016 having transferred from Team Sky to try and win a Grand Tour, with his best performance being a fifth-placed at Le Tour that same year.
Nice little nugget courtesy of the knowledgeable people at the Tour de France.
Direct Energie’s manager Jean-René Bernaudeau turns 62 today, and Chavanel is leading the stage through his native region.
Bon anniversaire, Jean-René!
Distance-wise, Sylvain Chavanel is around 9 miles ahead of a Quickstep-fronted peloton and all the major GC contenders safely positioned.
Tim Declercq is back out in front of the peloton, having a bite to eat.
This is a shot from earlier with the peloton framed by the Sacred Heart of Vendée – the flag of the region, which dates back to the 1793 War in the Vendée during the French Revolution.
Footage of Sylvain Chavanel descending. Meanwhile, Porte is back in the peloton after his wheel change.
🏁 143 km
— Le Tour de France (@LeTour) July 8, 2018
Gogl seems to be injured, and Smith dropped from the front : Chavanel is now alone at the front 🚴
Gogl semble touché, et Smith s'est laissé décrocher de la tête : @chava_sylvain est désormais seul à l'avant 🚴
Live 👉 https://t.co/OK5buI9uXQ#TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/VDIHDzMhRD
Sylvain Chavanel continues to power on, 3:26 out on his own. The eternally-unlucky Richie Porte has also stopped, seemingly for a change of equipment and he digs in to rejoin the peloton.
Extra word on man of steel Lawson Craddock who started the day seven minutes back after his awful crash, but will donate $100 to his local velodrome in Houston for every stage he finishes this year. The Alkek Velodrome was flooded by Hurricane Harvey and Craddock also auctioned a pair of his shoes earlier this month.
A broken scapula and a few stitches is not how I wanted to start @LeTour, but this Texan will fight as much as I can to continue. I will donate $100 to the @AlkekVelodrome for Harvey relief for every stage that I can finish. Anyone care to match? @JJWatt @HoustonTexans pic.twitter.com/Hmd1qVNqHT
— Lawson Craddock (@lawsoncraddock) July 7, 2018
Dion Smith claimed a point on the climb at Pouzauges and is level with Kevin Ledanois in the King of the Mountains standings, so the best rider in the GC will take the polka dot jersey tonight.
First sighting of Adam Yates with the 25-year-old at the rear of the peloton alongside the rest of his Mitchelton-Scott team.
Peter Kennaugh, who left Team Sky for Bora–Hansgrohe at the end of last season, has reluctantly just revealed on ITV he’s gone vegan and given up coffee and alcohol this year.
Dion Smith has now been reeled in by the peloton so it’s firmly a one-man breakaway with the 39-year-old Chavanel showing the youngsters how it’s done.
It’s Sylvain Chavanel who is out on his own. Impressive for the third-oldest man in the field to be leading by 2:40 as he shows off a bit of top-bar descending... not bad for Direct Energie’s sponsors in their home region, either.
Gogl looks to be struggling a bit and has dropped back into the peloton.
Fernando Gaviria was a popular winner yesterday. Here he is receiving a warm handshake from Lotto Soudal’s Thomas de Gendt.
The breakaway is splintering. Smith is now out on his own with Chavanel and Gogl dropping back. The peloton is also starting to reel them in, now back at 2:10.
The peloton are going through Pouzauges ahead of the climb. Quickstep’s Declercq and Terpstra still at the front. Meanwhile, in the breakaway, Smith has dropped back 100m or so in discussion with the Wanty–Groupe Gobert car.
Some nice nuggets from Peter Kennaugh on ITV. Here he is on Bora team-mate Peter Sagan.
“The most relaxed and fun professional I’ve ever met and he’s never serious about anything. I said to him, ‘you’re the world champion and you live differently to 99% of the rest of the peloton’. It blows my mind how talented he is.”
Here’s the breakaway, now 3mins out in front as the short cat four climb at Côte de Pouzauges begins.
Chavanel, Smith and Gogl pushing their lead to 2:47, while Froome is safely tucked in behind what appears all of Team Sky in the peloton.
Team Sky are on the shoulder of the Quickstep duo. Fernando Gaviria has stopped for a ‘comfort break’ and is having to move the legs a bit to rejoin the peloton with the support of teammate Ariel Maximiliano Richeze.
Quickstep’s Declercq and Niki Terpstra are in control of the peloton with Smith, Chavenel and Gogl stretching their lead to 2:23.
Personally speaking, I’m a big fan of Tom ‘the Butterfly of Maastricht’ Dumoulin.
The man with one of the best nicknames in cycling, ‘El Tractor’ Tim Declercq was at the front of the peloton at last check.
Direct Energie are the local team in these parts and Chavenel is drinking in the applause. The team’s base in the region is a 19th century manor house. Of course it is.
The lead trio have now breached the 1:45 mark over the rest of the peloton as the field looks set and the early attacks quietening down.
As you enjoy the French countryside why not have a read of Jeremy Whittle’s day one diary.
The gap between the front three and the peloton is now at 1:19 with Gogl, Chavenel and Smith all rotating the lead. Chavenel, understandably, receiving nearly all the applause as we’re very much in the countryside now.
Direct Energie’s Chavenal certainly knows his way round the Tour. This is the 39-year-old’s 18th appearance and he has three stage wins in 2008 and 2010.
The front three as it stands are: Sylvain Chavanel, Michal Gogl and Dion Smith. That trio have established a 47sec gap.
So Chris Froome isn’t persona non grata throughout the whole of France as Andrew Hatton shows.
@piercy360 local support for Froome at Reaumur stage 2 TDF pic.twitter.com/DtT2TEbAKR
— Andrew Hatton (@ajhatton) July 8, 2018
And we have some early attacks with Kévin Ledanois, who holds the polka dot jersey, among a smallish group chasing down Trek’s Michael Gogl.
The 2010 King of the Mountains, Anthony Charteau delivers this brief overview of what the riders should expect over the next few hours.
Ready for stage 2 ? @AnthonyCharteau, Le Tour 2010's best climber, tells you everything you need to know 👍
— Le Tour de France (@LeTour) July 8, 2018
Prêts pour la 2e étape ? Anthony Charteau, meilleur grimpeur du Tour 2010, vous explique tout 👍#TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/z1VzcwgTj2
Heat appears to be the only real major obstacle on the weather front as today’s trip through the country shouldn’t have the same threat of wind as yesterday’s coastal route.
Out they roll at Mouilleron-Saint-Germain
Peter Sagan, incidentally, is not wearing the green jersey, having elected to keep his world championship rainbow jersey on. Kittel is in green.
High-fives for Peter Sagan
👏🎉 @petosagan 🎉👋#TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/Q4Fhk6wvGe
— Le Tour de France (@LeTour) July 8, 2018
We’re approaching the roll-out and here’s Geraint Thomas who had a fruitful day, and is Team Sky’s leading rider 10secs behind Gaviria.
It looks hot.
Here’s Adam Yates who seems relaxed despite having suffered a fall yesterday which sees him 51secs back alongside Froome.
Yates of Mitchelton-Scott told ITV: “It’s a Tour. Every stage is dangerous. I came off pretty light, no real damage from the crash. We’re good. We lost a bit of time but still 20 stages to go.”
Marcel Kittel came close to adding to his 14 stage wins yesterday and Gaviria’s victory had extra symbolism as Quick-Step let the big German go last season, knowing they had the Colombian to step up.
Kittel may or may not view it as a personal mission to bite back but it will be interesting to see how he tackles the uphill finish which doesn’t always suit his sprinting style.
Katusha’s Kittel said: “Fernando has an incredibly strong team, I have say. ‘Chapeau’ to Fernando, too. They did a good job. Despite that, I don’t think we should change anything because it’s also going to be another uphill sprint on Sunday. It’s going to be difficult.
“You can’t ride from the front if you don’t have the legs or the team Fernando does, so I’ll approach it in the same way. Let’s hope it ends with a slightly better result.”
And here’s William Fotheringham on Chris Froome’s painful start and while he and Team Sky will have to contend with more than just crashes this year.
Jeremy Whittle is our man on the ground and you can read his despatch from yesterday’s chaos here.
Extra props to Lawson Craddock who suffered a particularly nasty crash halfway through yesterday’s stage and raced 60 miles with a broken scapula (in the shoulder blade) and a nasty cut above his right eye.
The EF Education First-Drapac rider (wearing No13), however, has been stitched and strapped up and will be on the start line today.
And if you haven’t caught them already, here are the highlights from yesterday featuring a very happy Fernando Gaviria and slightly peeved Nairo Quintana.
In case you didn’t see Chris Froome’s crash from yesterday, here is it from the view of the peloton. Some takeaways:
- Ouch. But grass is an infinitely more appealing landing spot than road.
- How close was he to that post?
- How quickly does he get up?!
It’s also coming home to La Roche-sur-Yon as the Tour finishes in the town for the first time since 1938. Belgium’s Eloi Meulenberg claimed the fifth of his seven stage wins there and it gives us an excuse to post this lovely footage.
Here’s a nice graphic detailing the loop through the Vendée countryside.
Preamble
Bonjour. After yesterday’s quite bonkers Grand Départ, which did its level best to take focus away from events in Russia, the peloton will perhaps be hoping for a more sedate cycle through the Vendée countryside on the relatively flat 113 mile route from Mouilleron-Saint-Germain to La Roche-sur-Yon. Certainly Chris Froome will be hoping for a more reserved ride after his crash 2.5 miles from the finish which saw him lose 61 seconds to leader Fernando Gaviria and 51sec to many of his GC rivals. It was far from ideal given the controversial buildup leading into the race but as luck would have it, Nairo Quintana and Richie Porte also endured opening day stinkers. The Colombian, in particular, is a full 1:15 back following his mechanical issues.
Countryman Gaviria, of course, gave the South Americans something to cheer with a brilliant victory on debut, out-sprinting Peter Sagan and Marcelo Kittel no less, to claim the Maillot jaune and today’s finish is expected to see a similar bunched sprint with a familiar set of names in contention. Sagan and Kittel will almost certainly be among them, while Frenchman Arnaud Démare will be fired up after a disappointing first stage in which he got caught up in a crash, denying him a shot at a second stage victory. Mark Cavendish has also been talking this stage up in his quest to reach the magic No34.
Although it should be flat and fast, there are some nice little details to look out for that will test more than just power. There’s a single fourth-cat climb, 17 miles in, at Côte de Pouzauges which should encourage a breakaway, while the final section into La Roche-sur-Yon incorporates a roundabout with a 100 degree turn, several left and rights and then a 3 per cent gradient to the line. Look out for the time bonus available 8.5 miles from the finish as well.
Weather is currently a toasty 29C and should get beyond 30C with humidity around 40%.
