A long day battling a ferocious headwind ended with tricky roundabouts on the run in and a fierce sprint on a rising pitch.

Stage 2: Orsonville to Vierzon, 187km

Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL-Jumbo) unleashed a powerful acceleration to surge past his rivals and take his 5th win of the season with ease. Elia Viviani  (Quick-Step Floors) and Andre Greipel (Lotto-Soudal) placed second and third respectively. Arnaud Demare (Groupama-FDJ) increased his grip on the leader’s jersey by claiming valuable bonus seconds on an intermediate sprint. He now leads by 7secs over Bahrain-Merida’s Gorka Izaguirre.

Video, we start at the 2km to go mark.

Astana were right…

Racing sharp and alive to the possibility of bonus seconds, Quickstepper Julian Alaphilippe jumped up to 4th overall.

The Breakaway King tried, but wasn’t given any leeway

When it’s a long day there’s plenty of time for a little chit chat and fun in the peloton.

Baby Kangaroo all bright eyed and smiling

Full race report at Cycling News

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Header image: Dylan Groenewegen heading for victory –  JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images)