Christophe Laurent, Criterium International stage 1 While the Giro crew survived a fast, uneventful stage 8, the guys over in France lit things up a bit at Picardie. Early in the stage, Mike Friedman and Christophe Laurent (right from Criterium International) joined a break that eventually broke up, leaving Christophe to defend the Argyle.

Christophe’s long breakaway of six riders was caught with 10 km to go. The peloton splintered on the wet descent, so it was one long run in to the finish line. Most of our hardy Picardie crew finished only 4″ back from the stage winner, and as result, are only 14″ down on the overall classification.

The Argyle is looking good going in to tomorrow’s final day - which includes two stages. Stage 3 is 88.5 km long and starts at - ouch - 9:04; stage 4 is 95 km long and is scheduled to start at 14:33.

Slipstream stage 2 results
1. Martin Elmiger 4:12′08″

37. Steven Cozza +4″
63. Mike Friedman +4″
72. Will Frischkorn +4″
86. Kilian Patour +4″
96. Huub Duyn +4″
123. Christophe Laurent +3′15″

Slipstream GC
1. Martin Elmiger 8:11′52″

29. Steven Cozza +14″
55. Will Frischkorn +14″
60. Mike Friedman +14″
94. Huub Duyn +14″
120. Christophe Laurent +3′45″
122. Kilian Patour +5′39″