At the final coffee stop in McDonalds before the start - which also seemed to be doubling as a change room for a few of them - the riders were looking fairly relaxed and well rested (unlike some of us). Festina's Marcel Wüst, who was not in the action yesterday admitted he would take about 4 days to find his legs, but was hoping for some good results later on. Scott Sunderland too was looking quite calm as he discussed anti-cramp drink mixtures with a colleague.

Despite a stiff headwind, the racing got underway with a fairly quick start, courtesy of an attack by Festina's Jonathon Hall after 9 km. However, the first real break of the day came when Michael Rogers (Casino Canberra) and last year's KOM winner, Kam Po Wong (Hkg, Sportscover - World) sped away from the bunch to try and take the first mountain prime at 27 km. Unfortunately for Wong, he punctured before the climb and was caught by the bunch. However, Caravello's Steve Williams (Aus) took off after Rogers and caught up to him over the top. These two were then joined by Websdale's Jan Hordijk (Ned) and the three maintained a steady 50 second gap for some time. Hordijk is a professional currently riding for German team Nürnburger, however he is without contract for 2000, going back to work in the "real" world.

The wind had dropped enough for the trio to stay away beyond the second climb, however they were caught at the halfway point of the stage (65 km).

Just 10 km later, on the freeway to Newcastle, the race winning break formed. Dan Smith (GBr, Sportscover) attacked with Piotr Wadecki (Pol, MROZ) ,Gorazd Stangelj (Slovenia), and Cameron Jennings (Aus, Casino Canberra) with two riders bridging across to them: - Sportscover rider Jeremy Hunt with well-performed Aussie in this event, Bart Hickson (Caravello).

The six built a lead of over 2 minutes at one stage but were pegged back over the final undulations by some hard riding from the bunch. The six were reduced to four as both Smith, who exploded on one of the last climbs, and Jennings (brother of last years 3rd overall, Warren Jennings) were dropped and absorbed by the bunch.

Hunt had a dream run into the finish, easily beating Wadecki, with Stangelj in third and Hickson, fourth. The bunch kick was won again by Dutch powerhouse Jans Koerts (Websdale), who just edged out Franky van Haesebroucke (Bel, QANTAS - One World) for 5th.

Jeremy Hunt (Sportscover) wins stage 2
Copyright 1999: Knapp Communications

After time bonuses were awarded, the leader's jersey went to Piotr Wadecki with Bart Hickson and Jeremy Hunt sharing equal second spot. Hunt, who is now the leader of the sprint competition said afterwards "I found the stage hard enough, and sat on a bit at the end and was lucky(!) to win the sprint." He will be looking to try and steal the yellow jersey from Wadecki in this evenings criterium at Newcastle.

For his part, Wadecki said that he was "very happy for the second time already, but there is still a long way to go".