[08.05 17:12] Today’s second stage of Giro d’Italia from Alba to Parma offered a total of 244 kilometers in relatively flat terrain with a single hill top to place the mountain jersey.

Saxo Bank-SunGard stayed together throughout the stage to protect Alberto Contador and deliver him safely across the stage where Sebastian Lang was the one-man break of the day. When the German was reinhaled with 25 kilometers to go, a series of counter-attacks was launched.

But on the finish line in Parma, the stage ended in a hectic bunch sprint where a rather angry Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) was passed by Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre) who took the win.

“It was a very fast and long stage and the boys covered Alberto (Contador) well and that’s the main goal for us today. Tomorrow’s stage is more difficult. It’s going to be 173 kilometers with a few climbs that might keep the sprinters away from the finish. So we want to protect Alberto and keep him up front to avoid crash and to avoid any loss of time,” said Saxo Bank-SunGard sports director, Philippe Mauduit.

Saxo Bank-SunGard captain, Alberto Contador said at the end of the longest day of the Giro d’Italia:

“It was a very long stage marked by the heat with temperatures of 34 to 35 degrees which is not very common at this time of the year. The stage was very fast and a bit nervous because of the escape in the finale but we were very alert and the team has supported me throughout the stage.
Considering the heat and length of the stage, it takes guts to go in a break today but what makes the day tough is the kilometer rather than heat. But I’m in good hands and we’re all feeling well.”

Saxo Bank-SunGard Dane, Kasper Klostergaard was a bit surprised of the roughness of the stage:

“It was a pretty tough stage considering the flat terrain. But it’s around 30 degrees and the pace was demanding but the main thing is that we got through the stage without any mishaps. Naturally, we are all very focused on the job and we are ready to roll again tomorrow”, Kasper Klostergaard says.

Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) took consolation in being able to wear the pink leader’s jersey after the lost sprint to Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre).