Omega Pharma - Quick Step Cycling Team did what it could to compete for the sprint finish at the 230km Stage 2 of Tirreno-Adriatico, from San Vincenzo to Indicatore, after they worked with the peloton to pull back two riders that escaped early in the race. However, the team was happier to arrive in one piece after the messy race, which included a peloton crash in the final few kilometers and another crash with team rider Dario Cataldo.
Mark Cavendish (SKY) took the victory, with Oscar Freira (KAT) taking 2nd and Tyler Farrar (GAR) rounding out the podium. Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team was toward the front near the finish, bit it appeared something made them lose position and they did not contest the sprint. They did, however, appear to avoid a crash in the back of the peloton. Gerald Ciolek was the team's top finisher, in 15th place.
Unfortunately, Cataldo could not avoid a crash with 20km remaining, but was able to cross the finish line on Thursday.
"Somebody in front of me hit the brakes and I couldn't avoid the crash," Cataldo said. "I went down, but fortunately without consequences. I had to chase for 20km. At about 2km I was completing my chase when the group split in two parts due to another crash. I was stuck behind and I lost few seconds."