Opinion: Tour de France Femmes GC battle finely poised as FDJ-SUEZ-Futuroscope the biggest losers on eventful Stage 2

The pressure on the shoulders of the women’s peloton ahead of stage 2 of the rebooted Tour de France Femmes was clearly visible as tensions led to a number of serious incidents on the route from Meaux to Provins. The nerves combined with the ever-present threat of crosswinds, narrow roads and excessive road furniture to contend with, made for a challenging day, which led to multiple injuries as well as significant losses for key contenders in the overall classification.

Crashes are, of course, an inevitable part of professional cycling, but following a particularly brutal day, FDJ-SUEZ-Futuroscope will be wondering what they did to deserve the carnage that ensued. A series of unfortunate events is a diplomatic way of describing the French team’s day in the saddle, the impact of which will be felt quite literally for some time to come.

Ad/> It didn’t do their GC campaign any favours either, and although this is of course secondary to the safety of the riders, for those that remain in the race, it’s going to be a battle to claw back the lost time for their leader, Danish champion Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig. For Marta Cavalli, brought down in a bizarre and alarming incident by another rider going at full speed towards a peloton that had slowed due to a crash, the race is sadly over, as she is taken to hospital for assessment.

Tour de France Femmes'Incredible' Vos is 'up there with the men' at reading a race after Stage 2 winAN HOUR AGO Uttrup Ludwig’s GC campaign was not the only one to be dealt a blow as a result of the day’s numerous incidents. Team BikeExchange-Jayco’s Kristen Faulkner was distanced too, with her team mate Amanda Spratt another one of the riders hurt in the crashes.