TDF2016: Strong performance from Vegard Breen

Vegard Breen was in the break away during most of the 2nd stage of Tour de France.

Vegard Breen of Norway in action during the 2nd stage of theTour de France between Saint-Lo and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France, 02 July 2016. Source: AAP

The strongest Norwegian effort in the second stage of the Tour de France was by Vegard Breen.

Even before one kilometer he had passed, he was in break away along with three others, Jasper Stuyven and Cesare Benedetti and Paul Voss.

The break away was not given great chances early in the stage but they nearly held it all the way in and Jasper Stuyven was run in as late as 500 meters before the finish.

The winner of today's stage was world champion Peter Sagan.

He has won the green jersey in the Tour de France four times, but we have to go back to 2013 since the last time he won a stage.

He has never previously held the yellow jersey.

World Champion Peter Sagan (tinkoff) is lead over the top of the final climb by team mate Roman KREUZIGER. Source: AAP

This was expected to be Edvald Boasson Hagen's stage, but our Tour de France commentator Eirik Østlund says a combination of the fall in the first stage and the tough riding in the peloton to catch the breakaway group made it to though to have enough power in his legs up the last hill.

Both Edvald Boasson Hagen and Sondre Holst Enger crossed the finish line 1:22 after Peter Sagan.

Edvald Boasson Hagen of Norway during the 2nd stage of the Tour de France over 183km between Saint-Lo and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France, 02 July 2016. Source: AAP

Alexander Kristoff passed the finish line at 4:46, while Vegard Breen came 5:53 after winner.