Stage 2

The road

How it was won

1. 185 km to go

   Lunch in the lee of Rotterdam

   The buildings block the wind and a moment of calm settles over the race; riders eat and drink. Then Peter Kennaugh decides lunchtime is over and lifts the pace, and Barta jumps clear of the break to take the sprint.

2. 262 km to go

   The peloton goes hunting

   With 62 kilometres left the escape is swept up, not because the pace is high but because the bunch has decided it is time to find out who is having an off day.

3. 350 km to go

   Etixx break the race in the crosswind

   Word comes over race radio that Quintana is struggling and Etixx-QuickStep put the hammer down. The Tour splits into pieces; the front group takes 48 seconds and Nibali only just stays upright as Adam Hansen falls in front of him.

4. 424 km to go

   Nibali punctures, alone

   The defending champion flats with 24 kilometres to race and has not a single teammate with him. He chases back through the convoy while the gap ahead stretches beyond a minute.

5. 5At the line

   Greipel in the storm at Neeltje Jans

   Out on the sea defences with a 40kph tailwind, Renshaw's early lead-out opens the door and André Greipel comes off Cavendish's wheel to win. Fabian Cancellara takes third and the yellow jersey.

The result