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 Sunday, March 27th 2005 |
| Stage 2Les Vieilles Forges > Monthermé - 98,5 km |
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| Dekker takes an option |
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 Les Vieilles Forges - Monthermé: 98,5 kilometers. 161 starters. Non-starter: Erik Zabel (TMO).
Thomas Dekker (RAB) wins in Monthermé ahead of Jaksche (LSW). The German rider had however led the race from start to finish making it alone on the top of 7 of the 8 climbs on the morning's stage.
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 Heavy fog welcomed the riders for the start of stage 2 on the shores of the Lac des Vieilles Forges. The pack, eager to warm up took off at a high pace in the first climb of the day. At the top of the Côte des Vieilles Forges (km 2), Bessy (Cof), Mancebo (IBA) and Casar (FDJ) enjoyed a short lead on the peloton. They were eventually caught going downhill by nine riders (Basso, Julich, Jaksche, Ziegler, Zampieri, Sprick, Vaugrenard, Berges, Bonilla). The advantage of the breakaway riders started growing despite the fast pace in the pack. Ziegler, Sprick and Bonilla are distanced and eventually caught by the peloton. Berges, also unable to keep up with the leaders was caught by counter-attacking Dekker. Both men started working together and finally made it to the leading group. The seven escapees made it to the top of the Côte du Mont Malgré Tout (km 13) led by Jaksche, Julich and Vaugrenard while the pack remained 30'' adrift.
In the downhill portion, the gap started growing and reached  1'15'' at the exit of Monthermé (km 29). The Cofidis, Bouygues Télécom and T Mobile teams moved to the front of the pack and organised the chase. At the top of the Côte de Blossette (km 34), Jaksche still led the group ahead of Julich and Vaugrenard with the peloton now 1'05 behind. In the climb to the Col du Loup, Zampieri and Berges were dropped and eventually caught by the pack. The 5 leaders still made it clear to the top of the Col du Loup (km 39,5) led by Jaksche, Julich and Dekker with a 1'15'' advantage.
Jaksche eased up the pace in the first kilometres up the Côte des Perrières. At the top (km 49), he again claimed the most climbers' points ahead of Julich and Dekker. The pack remained at 1'35''. At the exit of Nouzonville (km 52) the escapees saw their lead grow to 1'45''. At the top of the Côte de Meillier-Fontaine, Jaksche again made it first leading over Julich and Vaugrenard while the peloton was 1'45'' adrift.
The climb up the Côte du Bois de l'Or (km 61) proves to be the same as the previous ones with Jaksche leading in front of Julich and Basso with the gap on the peloton stabilizing.
 In the second climb up the Côte du Mont Malgré Tout, the pace in the pack eased up with riders Galvez (race leader), Pineau failing to keep up with the rhythm. At the top, Jaksche beat Julich, Dekker and Basso for the climber's points while Vaugrenanrd was eventually caught by a following group including, Blanco, Plaza Molina, Boogerd, Menchov and Voigt at 1'. At 1'40'', Moncoutié, Chavanel, Le Mevel, Brochard, Landis and Leipheimer led the main bunch.
With 15 kilometres to go, the four leading riders continued their excellent work and kept a decent advantage on their followers  (1'15'' on a first group and 2' on the main pack). With five kilometres to go the escapees still had a 1'20'' lead on the six following riders while Landis, Chavanel, Zubeldia and Martinez managed to break away from the peloton. In the climb up the Côte de la Roche aux Sept Villages, Basso, first dropped, tried to take off but his efforts were vain under the influence of Jaksche. 800 m from the finish line, it was Julich's turn to give it a go, immediately caught by his three breakaway companions. With 200 m to go, Jaksche tried a final effort but was eventually caught and beaten on the line by young Thomas Dekker. Julich grabbed third spot.
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| Stage winner |
Thomas Dekker |
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| Overall |
Thomas Dekker |
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| Points |
Thomas Dekker |
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| Best climber |
Jorg Jaksche |
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| Best young |
Thomas Dekker |
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| Best team |
Team CSC |
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| Starter's list | Time schedule |
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