In short
| Stage winner | Jens VOIGT |
 (yellow jersey) |
Jens VOIGT |
 (green jersey) |
Jens VOIGT |
 (red polka dot jersey) |
Gorazd STANGELJ |
 (white jersey) |
Thomas LÖVKVIST |
Starters' list | Time schedules
All classifications
| Stage |
|---|
 |
• Individual time• Individual points • Best young • Best climber • Best team |
|
| Overall |
|
• Individual time• Individual points • Best young • Best climber • Best team |
Stage by stage
| 1 | Saturday 31 March | 179 km |
| Asfeld > Charleville-Mézières | ||
| 2 | Sunday 1 April | 98.5 km |
| Les Vieilles Forges (Les Mazures) > Monthermé | ||
| 3 | Sunday 1 April | 8.3 km |
| Charleville-Mézières > Charleville-Mézières | ind. TT | |
| Total Length | 285.8 km | |
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The race
Sunday 1 April 2007| stage 2 | Les Vieilles Forges (Les Mazures) > Monthermé - 98.5 km |
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Jackpot Voigt
The unrelenting attack from Jens Voigt came after his morning escape from the peloton with Gorazd Stangelj (SLO –LAM) and Sébastien Joly (FRA – C.A). Less than 30 kilometres from the finish line, the German chose to go it alone by picking up the pace. On the final two climbs, the two-time winner of the event held off the attacks of Damiano Cunego as well as a group consisting of Valverde, F. Schleck, and Klöden. With his prowess for excelling when riding against the clock, Voigt is looking to be a strong favourite for the overall victory this afternoon in Charleville-Mézières.
The film of the stage
Sprick get’s things started
After the first climb of the morning Matthieu Sprick (FRA – BTL) was the first rider to put in an attack and he was immediately reeled back in by the peloton. On the way up the Côte de Mont Malgré Tout it was Danny Pate (USA – TSL) who put in the first serious move of the day. Three other riders also broke away, Gorazd Stangelj (SLO – LAM), Sébastien Joly (FRA –FDJ) and Jens Voigt (GER – CSC) left Pate behind as they passed over the summit and began to build up a lead on the pack, which was two-minutes behind when it reached the top of the Côte de Blossette (km 34).
Trio under control
The riders of the Caisse D’Epargne team assumed the majority of the responsibility of chasing down the leaders. At first, their mission consisted of maintaining a reasonable gap: at km 50, the leading trio had a 1’45” advance. Stangelj accumulated the bonus points to take the lead in the mountain standings.
Voigt goes it alone
Before attacking the Côte du Mont Malgré Tout for the second time, Jens Voigt broke away from the trio and took his chances on a solo run. The German easily pulled away from Stangelj and Joly and lead as he went over the summit and before the final difficulty of the stage. F. Schleck (LUX – CSC), Klöden (GER – AST) , Valverde (SPA- GCE), Caruso (ITA – LAM), Lovqvist (SWE – FDJ), and Cardenas (SPA – BAR), were joined by Perez-Sanchez (ESP –GCE), Chavanel (FRA – COF) and Martinez (SPA – AGR) reacted to the Italian’s attack.
48” lead from Valverde
10kms from the finish line, Cunego had nothing for Voigt, and had no choice but to join the illustrious group of pursuers. Despite the quality of the riders behind him, Voigt held on. He crossed the line 48” ahead of Valverde, Klöden, Schleck and Cunego. A significant margin of victory heading into this afternoon’s time-trial in Charleville-Mézières.
The winner interview
Jens Voigt (GER - CSC)
« It was already a first time-trial »
“I chose to attack early because in this mountain stage, if you are not in the right breakaway, it is very hard to comeback. I also knew we didn’t have much to lose: if the escapees were caught up, the team still had two serious candidates in Booby (Julich) and Franck (Schleck).On the final 25 kilometres, it was already a first time-trial. I couldn’t afford to let up because there were some serious challengers behind me. Now, I know I have a strong chance of winning, because I have had a lot of success in the past on this time-trial and I have a good lead on my nearest pursuers. But nothing is settled before crossing the finish line”.
The newsflashes
Stage Two : the top five
2. Valverde at 48"
3. Klöden same time
4. F. Schleck same time
5. Cunego same time