As expected it was a long day in boiling heat in the front of the peloton for Team Saxo Bank on the second stage of the Tour de France during the 187 kilometres between Monaco and Brignoles where three category 4-climb and an initial category 3-climb were passed.
"It was a hard and hot stage where we obviously made a huge effort in the front of the peloton but it was not harder than we expected and we had everything under control. Fr?nk Schleck crashed but he only suffered superficial bruises on his hip, so we are all ready again tomorrow to defend the jersey”, said team owner Bjarne Riis after the stage.
Team Saxo Bank rider, Fabian Cancellara, was grateful to the team after the stage:
"It was very hot today. The whole peloton suffered from the heat on the undulating route and I am happy to be in the leader’s jersey again tomorrow. The team did a tremendous job to keep me in that position. My goal is to keep the jersey until the team time trial which we also want to win. Then we will take one day at a time”, said Fabian Cancellara after the stage.
