Team NetApp-Endura leader Leopold König didn't have the best day in today's second stage of the Tour de France as the Czech lost 14 seconds to most of his rivals. Nonetheless, his team remains satisfied with the performance.

The second stage of the 101st Tour de France displayed the profile of an Ardennes classic. The section covering 201 kilometers from York to Sheffield was decided by a solo attack from Vincenzo Nibali (Astana). He secured himself the day’s victory ahead of Greg van Avermaet (BMC) and Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma Quick Step) and also took the yellow jersey with his victory. The NetApp – Endura team showed its aggressive side today and initiated the group of the day with David de la Cruz already in the first kilometer. The team was still represented with four riders in the difficult final stretch and was again able to come in among the Top 20 with Tiago Machado in 18th place.

“We are more than satisfied with the day today. We knew how difficult the day could become and everything that could happen. First David implemented precisely what we had laid out for him today. The group certainly could have had chances to ride even further out. Even if today was not all perfect for us, given the falls and breakdowns, we were still at the finish with four men. We tried not to lose any time. That didn’t quite work out for Leo, but those few seconds won’t amount to much. That’s why that was a very good performance by everyone today,” explained Enrico Poitschke, Sport Director of the NetApp – Endura team, after the stage.

Tomorrow’s stage will end the start of the tour in Great Britain. On Monday, the riders will go from Cambridge to London over 155 kilometers. The completely flat profile does not boast any difficulties, so that we can count on another mass sprint on the Mall in London.

“Although it’s true we have a flat stage tomorrow, that doesn’t mean that it's not dangerous. The stage is comparably short and conceals many risks, with many narrow streets. That’s why we have to approach the stage with concentration. Since we don’t have any pure sprinters in our line-up, our goal once again is not to lose any time for Leo,” is Poitschke’s estimate of the third stage.