Stage 2: Monaco-Brignoles; 187km

The first flat stage with a surprising 4 climbs of a cat 3 and 3 cat 4s for the sprinters proved an exciting one with an atypical result however. The first week nerves showed as 3 crashes today were interspersed with several breakaways and high speeds. In the end however, the experienced Columbia-HTM team riders provided the perfect leadout for sprint phenom Mark Cavendish, who took stage 2 with ease. A late crash within 3km hindered the opportunity of some, including big guns Danilo Napolitano and Tom Boonen. Tyler Farrar, Roman Feillu, and Thor Hushovd took 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respectively but were inevitably no match for Cavendish's raw power and speed. Many expect Cavendish to win 5 stages, a definite possibility in my opinion. Lance and team Astana finished towards the front-middle of the pack, right where an experienced team of riders should be. Their first test will be Tuesday's stage 4 TTT. Tomorrow's stage 3 only has 2 cat 4 bumps in the road so another chance for Cavendish to show off the legs. Maybe Boonen will have his day. We shall see. Until then, au revoir.