Stage 2 – Johnstown to Altoona – 98 miles (158km)

Finally we had a day without rain.  Today’s long 100 mile stage had a number of climbs and also started with a 10% 5km climb within 1km of the start.  My legs felt nasty and I suffered like a dog all day.  Thankfully I had requested a 12×27 cassette and spent a great part of the day spinning my way up the climbs in my little gears and hoping that my legs would ‘come good’.

There was a steady 7km climb at the 100km mark where Andrea and I both lost contact with the mountain goat climbers.  However, once over the top, we worked hard for 15km and caught the front group with 15km to go.  We caught them just before the final KOM which was on a 1km slippery gravel road.  The peloton accelerated up this climb and with shattered legs and poor gravel skills I was soon in the caravan and then out the back.

Andrea chased back on to finish 6^th while I rolled in 1min 30sec down.  Andrea retains her 2^nd place in the sprint jersey, whilst Willy and Gen remained in 4^th and 5^th, respectively in GC and also in 2^nd and 3^rd in the KOM competition.  Rona continues to lead the team competition over Quark by 2 seconds.