Stage 2: Pamplona to Viana, 181.4km
The route planners decided to start the boys out gently. Yesterday’s short, sharp team time trial is followed by today’s rolling stage. There’s one Cat 3 climb – the Alto de la Chapela (6km at a leisurely 3.5% average) – in the middle of the stage, giving us the first King of the Mountains jersey of the race. Everyone should be together at the end on a straightforward run-in ready for a bunch sprint – the only hitches being the slight rise in the final kilometre, and peak temperatures which are forecast to hit 40ºC. [Ouch – Ed.]
Temperatures for the last two days have been well in excess of 40C, more of the same is forecast for today. The boys will be pouring water all over themselves throughout the race and climbing into those fetching cool packs, which Rabobank wore in yesterday evening’s hot seat, as soon as the stage is over. Pity any team staying in a hotel without air conditionning although I did note that most teams seem to have bought up northern Spain’s entire stock of fans which were blowing enthusiastically as they warmed up [bit of a misnomer given the temperatures] before yesterday’s time trial.