Team Sky’s eight men all survived today’s crash in the final kilometers in the Tour of Poland, and the team will continue to keep an eye out for young British rider Peter Kennaugh in an effort to get him a high placing in the overall standings.
Ian Stannard was one of the few Sky riders who were not delayed in the pile up at the end of stage two. But since the crash occurred within the final 3 kilometers of the stage, all riders were credited with the same time. Stannard finished 18th on the stage, and Kennaugh lives to fight another day.
“Pete got hit from behind but he’s not injured in any way so all is good from that point of view,” Team Sky boss Sean Yates commented after the stage. “Everyone is fine and none of our guys actually came down. Obviously, it was in the last three kilometers so no one lost any time.”
Marcel Kittel (Skil-Shimano) won his second stage in a row, gaining more seconds with the yellow jersey already in hand after his win yesterday. Kittel too was in front of the crash that forced Alessandro Ballan (BMC Racing) and Bart De Clercq (Omega-Pharma Lotto) to abandon. He remained calm during a flurry of early accelerations, following the wheel of Heinrich Haussler (Garmin-Cervelo) before initiating his own kick. He quickly moved away and threw up his arms in victory, doing so surprisingly early.
“For Skil-Shimano it is a big deal, as they have won two stages and have the leader’s jersey in a World Tour race,” Yates said. “Kittel is sprinting very well and he won easily today.”
While the route gets hilly later in the week, it would appear that Team Sky brought a stable of climbers and week-tour specialists. Thomas Lovkvist is a proven all-rounder, and Chris Froome performed well in the Tour de Suisse. Norwegian Lars Petter Nordhaug is considered a bright young prospect as well. But the 22-year-old Kennaugh believes his week in Poland could be his time to shine.
“Pete stuck his hand up before the race, not only literally, but also in the way that he’s been riding of late,” Yates added.
Though Kennaugh will be given his opportunities to compete for the overall title in Poland, Yates indicated that Lovkvist, Froome, and Nordhaug would by no means be limited.
“Everyone has a free hand if they feel good, but Pete can step up to that lead role this week,” Yates concluded. “It’s a good field here and we’re looking forward to getting stuck in.”