Preview: Everything you need to know about Stage 2 of 2016 Tour de France

Stage 2, 2016 Tour de France
Date: Sunday, July 3
Start: Saint-Lô
Finish: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
Distance: 183km (113.7mi)
Elevation Gain:1460m (4790ft)
Weather forecast: Grey sky, rainy from the morning until the start in St-Lô. Progressive improvement through the day, but with a sky still hazy (many low clouds) and a west-wind 20-30km/h gusting to 40km/h for the first half of the stage. A pale sun will be present for the end of the stage with a weakening wind. The temperatures will stay fresh, between 15 and 16 degrees.
GC standings:

[rrsummary id= 163713 places=15]

Comment from race director, Christian Prudhomme: “On the menu from Saint-Lô, the chef-lieu of the Manche area and a journey through the west coast all the way to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. That’s where the race will get harder with a first-ever finish at the summit of the Côte de La Glacerie. A 3km climb with a passage at 14%, therefore meaning seconds to be gained for the stage contenders and the favorites of the Tour.”

Sean Yates (Tinkoff director): “Tomorrow’s sprint is more suited to Peter (Sagan) and if he’s strong like today he should be right up there again. There’s no 3km rule, so we’ll have to be up there at the end to the line with Alberto (Contador).”

Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing): “I’m looking forward to tomorrow. It’s a good finish for me so hopefully we can be up there for a good finish. There are a few contenders for tomorrow’s stage. (Peter) Sagan is up there, (Michael) Matthews, (Julien) Alaphilippe, so it will be a big fight.”

Merijn Zeeman (LottoNL-Jumbo director): “It’s going to be chaotic again. We’re riding by the coast for a big part of the race, so the wind is going to play its role as well. That’s always stressful. It’s probably going to be a finish for the overall riders and the specialists on this terrain. We want to take part in that fight and are going to bring Wilco Kelderman in position.”