Chris Froome finishes stage two of Tour de France despite injuries, Ineos Grenadiers riders lose more time
Tao Geoghegan Hart lost a big chunk of time for the second day running


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Chris Froome finished stage two of the 2021 Tour de France, surviving the day's parcours and intensity despite spending several hours in hospital the night before.
The Israel Start-Up Nation rider suffered injuries to his left side and chest after falling in the second big crash of stage one.
Fortunately the four-time winner of the race did not break or fracture any bones, saying before the start of stage two that his aim was to survive the ensuing days and hope that he recovers before the end of the first week.
The 183km second stage in Brittany didn't witness any crashes and all 180 riders who took to the startline finished, with Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Fenix leading the way to also inherit the yellow jersey.
Another rider battered and bruised by Saturday's drama was Marc Hirschi, and the Swiss was also able to complete the day's racing, despite the UAE Team Emirates man sounding a note of worry before the stage began.
The final 20kms of the day was all-action, with mixed fortunes for riders who hope to do well in the general classification.
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) moves into third and now has a one-second advantage to Primoż Roglič (Jumbo-Visma), but the biggest shake-up happened with Ineos Grenadiers.
Overnight, Geraint Thomas held an eight-second lead to his team-mate Richard Carapaz, but Thomas finished the stage 23 seconds adrift of race winner Van der Poel and 15 seconds back from Carapaz.
It means that Carapaz is 31 seconds behind Van der Poel and 18 shy of Pogačar, but he has a 10 second lead over Thomas who is 28 seconds in deficit to the defending champion.
The British team entered the race with four potential winners, but Richie Porte and Tao Geoghegan Hart both lost time on stage one.
24 hours later and the duo once again shipped time, Porte now 3-08 from Van der Poel and Geoghegan Hart an insurmountable 9-31 in arrears.
Finishing with the same time as Thomas was Vincenzo Nibali of Trek-Segafredo who is also 41 seconds back from yellow.
Movistar's Miguel Ángel López, meanwhile, is 2-22 behind the leader of the general classification.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Chris first started writing for Cycling Weekly in 2013 on work experience and has since become a regular name in the magazine and on the website. Reporting from races, long interviews with riders from the peloton and riding features drive his love of writing about all things two wheels.
Probably a bit too obsessed with mountains, he was previously found playing and guiding in the Canadian Rockies, and now mostly lives in the Val d’Aran in the Spanish Pyrenees where he’s a ski instructor in the winter and cycling guide in the summer. He almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains.
-
-
'The hardest ride': Matt Downie beats Mark Beaumont's NC500 record by an hour
26-year-old completes 516 mile course in 27 hours 30 minutes dead to set new best time
By Adam Becket Published
-
5 Kickstarter products to help your commute
We take a look at some of the most backed products from the Kickstarter program and beyond
By Joe Baker Published
-
Mark Cavendish to postpone retirement and ride on with Astana Qazaqstan, reports
British sprinter reported to have reached agreement with current team to continue racing in 2024
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Is Chris Froome - in 2023 - a professional cyclist, or an influencer?
The seven-time Grand Tour winner hasn't raced since July, but has taken to being interesting on social media
By Adam Becket Published
-
In memoriam: Tadej Pogačar's white jersey domination
After 81 days in the young rider's jersey at Grand Tours, the Slovenian has grown up
By Adam Becket Published
-
'They race like juniors': How men's pro cycling is getting wilder and races refuse to slow down
Racing from the gun during a three week Grand Tour is a big ask for even the best and the strongest. Is this the new cycling?
By Adam Becket Published
-
Remco Evenepoel hopes to 'steal' Jonas Vingegaard's secrets at Vuelta a España as he looks to 2024 Tour de France
Belgian aiming for second Vuelta a España triumph over the next three weeks, but faces stiff opposition
By Tom Davidson Published
-
WorldTour teams have an extra three years to halve carbon emissions before losing license - UCI clarifies
A carbon emissions tracker has been introduced and it is mandatory for all stakeholders to use it
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
‘I really like city street racing’ - Tadej Pogačar on the ‘enjoyable’ World Championships road race course
Slovenian two-time Tour de France winner took bronze behind rainbow jersey winner Mathieu van der Poel
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Opinion: Mark Cavendish Netflix documentary shows why Tour de France return is in doubt
Manxman's route out of depression shows what's really important
By Vern Pitt Published