The second stage of the Tour de France gave the first indications of who's up for the GC battle in the French grand tour and both Schleck brothers were among the losers. Having conceded 16 seconds to stage winner Vincenzo Nibali, Frank lamented his lack of racing kilometres after having crashed out of the Tour de Suisse.

It was a day of endless, punchy climbs for the 201-kilometer second stage of the Tour de France, a day not unlike an Ardennes Classic.  The parcours was littered with sharp up and downs on narrow, serpentine roads, nine of which were classified for mountain points. It was enough for Jens Voigt’s journey in polka dots to be terminated after one glorious day, and enough to decimate the peloton to 21 by the finish.

Vincenzo Nibali's (Astana) opportunistic attack with two kilometers to go proved to be the winning move as he held off the chasing front group to grab the stage victory and the yellow jersey. Two seconds later Greg van Avermaet (BMC) won the bunch sprint for second just ahead of Michal Kwiatkowski (OPQS) in third.

Haimar Zubeldia finished with the leading group in 15th place, and Fränk Schleck came in 16 seconds later with the second group.  It was the final category four ascent with five kilometers to go that ultimately splintered the 50-strong group, all that remained of the decimated peloton. Fabian Cancellara arrived moments later for 37thplace (+35”), and Andy Schleck at 1’19” for 53rd.

“It was a very special race, a tough stage, very much like a Classic. Lots of climbs, short and steep; it was for guys that have a lot of punch," Frank Schleck said. "I missed the last 25 meters over the last climb, I was passed and I lost 15-16 seconds at the finish, which is not a drama. I felt good during the whole race, but in the end I can tell I am missing a little bit, missing the Tour de Suisse and those kilometers of racing. 

“There is lots of racing to come, and all the big guys are still in the front. Nothing changed for the overall. I enjoy the longer climbs, they suit me much better, and there will be plenty of that coming.”

Seven men formed the early breakaway – including Matthew Busche – that darted away soon after the drop of the flag, The seven were never granted a long leash with the coveted yellow jersey up for grabs to whomever could successfully traverse over the punchy parcours. It was a day that left the sprinters far behind, including the yellow jersey of Marcel Kittel (Giant-Shimano). The seven escapees were caught with less than 60 kilometers remaining. And a race of attrition began.

For Busche, riding his first breakaway in his first Tour de France, it was an experience he won’t soon forget - for better or for worse - as he talked about the frenzied crowds lining the roads.

“The crowds were incredible again today, but I have to admit that it was scary to have so many people on the road," he said. "I saw so many close calls with cars and spectators – I really hope that no cyclist or spectator was injured. It was crazy. The worst was seeing the small children so close to the road.

“Aside from the safety issues the support from all the people is incredible! The noise was deafening for most of the day and I couldn’t hear anything in my radio. It would have been great to take the polka dot jersey, to keep it in the team, but the other guys were just faster. I tried a couple of times, but it wasn’t to be. Overall it was a great experience I won’t forget!”