Sure enough.  The very first thing we heard at the top of today’s broadcast certainly came as no surprise, all-around disappointment notwithstanding.  Mark Cavendish is out of the Tour de France. With this, stage 2 went on with 198 riders minus one.

It’s difficult to imagine the next three weeks without the Missile, especially with Le Tour still in England today and tomorrow.  Nevertheless, as we’re left to picture how Cavendish would surely have dominated the peloton through his homeland, the race shall go on as always.

As it did, today’s route from York to Sheffield ended with minus one photo finish.  Winner du jour Vincenzo Nibali just couldn’t be caught, crossing the line “well ahead” of the pack with his two-second lead.  Next stop, London!  (Sorry, Cav.)

Stage two’s finish in Sheffield, England.  (Photo: AFP)