The perfect day for a race around the Potteries. Leaden skies unable to hold back the rain completely, gusting winds switching back on themselves all day, and the endless up-down of heavy roads.

Not quite as much altitude gain on the menu today, at 1660 meters, against 1812 meters yesterday, but the weather and the roads could cause havoc for the unwary or the careless.

Emilie Moberg, getting warmly dressed for the expected conditions said: “I couldn’t believe how narrow the roads are here. It was really tough out there yesterday. And I think more of the same today.

I like racing here though. I was in London for the Olympics, and I have done the Ride London race, so I like it here. It’s just … you guys are weird because you drive on the left, everything on the left! The only ones in Europe …!”

What sort of a day lies ahead?

“It will be a lot of climbing, even more than yesterday, but we have a good team and good climbers – like her (as Katrine Aalerud walks by).”

Have a safe and successful day.

“Thank you. You, too. What will you be doing?”

Staying in Stoke and having lunch while you guys are racing.

“(Much laughter) That sounds like a better day than for us!”

Christina Perchtold, the Austrian champion was layering up for a cold ride: “Is it going to be like this (gesturing at the threatening skies) or is it going to be rain like we had two days ago?”

I’m not sure that my weather forecast helped much, but I did get a low-down on what happened yesterday and what lay in store today.

“Yesterday was such a strange day. Once the rider went away, it was like nobody did anything. It is not only Cervelo-Bigla that should do the work. We did two really big lead-outs yesterday and we got the sprints jersey for Lisa Klein, so we tried things. The other teams also have to try things now because two minutes is a big lead.”

“Today should be good for me because we have two climbs, two first-category hills, so … (fingers crossed gesture)”

One rider not in such good spirits was Daiva Tuslaite, Alé Cipollini’s Lithuanian champion. I saw her arrive at the buses yesterday, shake her head as an autograph hunter approached, and stand leaning on her bike frame before disappearing into the bus.

“Yesterday was a tough day for me. I was a bit sick all day, so it was really hard.”

Are you feeling better today?

“I don’t know.”

To be continued …