Report: Stage 2 — Dieppe to Forges les Eaux (34 miles)

The beautiful French countryside provided the backdrop to an exciting finish of Stage 2 of the Morning Star Cycle Challenge.

At just 34 flat miles and the flattest of the tour’s four stages, the ride was expected to be something of a procession. 

Beginning from the port of Dieppe and following the route of a disused railway line, the peloton wound its way slowly through St-Vaast and Mesnieres with the sprinters increasingly confident that the stage would end in a bunch finish. 

But at Neufchatel-en-Bray, old hand John O’Brien, 68, commandeered the support of two less experienced but younger riders — Regi Thomas, 55, and Dan Smith, 29, and broke away from the peloton. 

The bunch let them go, confident that the breakaway would be reeled in during the final few miles. It was a decision they would soon come to regret.  

The breakaway was able to form an efficient chain gang and quickly opened up a gap of almost five minutes over the main field. 

By the time the complacent peloton had realised their error and organised the chase, it was game over and the lead group crossed the finish line in Forges-les-Eaux with a minute in hand over the bunch.

A jubilant Smith told the Star that he had only been cycling since May.

“Now I’ve won a stage of the London to Paris tour and claimed the Unison Yellow Jersey, the only thing that could make me happier would be to see the sponsorship money come rolling in.”

Time-trial specialist Mark David-Gray was close to tears when interviewed at the finish.

“Dan got lucky,” he wimpered. “Tomorrow’s stage is longer and includes categorised climbs. I will be setting a fast pace from the off to burn off this young pretender. Don’t rule me out just yet.”  

Preview: Stage 3 — Forges les Eaux to Bray et Lu (55 miles)

Before this morning’s racing commences, the team will visit the Museum of Resistance and Deportation to witness how local people fought the nazis in occupied France. 

After yesterday’s relaxing spin in the sun and inspired by the Resistance heroes from the past, it’s back to business for Stage 3. 

From Forges les Eaux, whose name derives from an historic Roman iron mine, the ride goes south towards Haussez, Gournay-en-Bray, Neuf-March, Gissors, Guerny and on to the finish at Bray et Lu, which is home to a functioning zinc foundry.

A tough technical stage, the route is notable for poor signage and a rough road surface, rather than for its relatively modest length. 

In the interests of safety, the bunch will likely stay together throughout the day. Riders who bonk and fall behind are likely to be sweep up by Paul Vogt and David Owen in the broom wagon.

The rough terrain may present an opportunity for any rider brave or experienced enough to risk a solo breakaway. 

This could be the moment for the oldest man in the team — 68-year-old John O’Brien to make the decisive move and go on to take the stage win.

To sponsor the team:

• To pay by card, phone the Morning Star on (020) 8510-0815 (lines are open between 10am and 5pm Monday to Friday)
• Go to www.morningstaronline.co.uk/support to make a one-off donation and sponsor a rider
• Send us a cheque, payable to Merseyside Morning Star Supporters Group and send to Pedalling4Progress, 10 Hadassah Grove, Liverpool L17 8XH