Overshadowed by a crash, Stage 1 pulls the best out of Belgian Champion Gilbert
While there are many multiple day and multiple stage races on the cycling calendar, there remains only one Tour de France. The most watched and most prestigious of the grand tours, the Tour brings out the best and at times worst of the peloton.
On the 191km Stage 1, which saw the peloton traverse the Passage du Gois La Barre-de-Monts en route to the Mont des Alouettes Les Herbiers, the man for the Classics, Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) lived up to his reputation and took the uphill finish ahead of Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) and Thor Hushovd (Team Garmin-Cervelo).
Unfortunately, Gilbert's heroics were somewhat overshadowed by a massive pileup late in the day. The crash would cause a split in the field and dampen defending champion, Alberto Contador's chances of another Tour victory as he lost over a minute to his biggest rivals.
Results - Stage 1
1. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
2. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team
3. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Team Garmin-Cervelo
Quick Stepping Through The Tour
The first stage of the 98th Tour de France ended in a real battle field. After the three early escapees were caught, the final kilometers of the stage became very hectic. A massive crash of 8 kilometers from the line caused the bunch split up in several groups. Tom Boonen didn`t crash and was able to stay in the front. With 3 kilometers to go, another crash bothered the first group, again Boonen was able hang on in the front and was well placed for the sprint uphill. Boonen wasn't able to counter a late attack of Fabian Cancellara (Leopard) and Phillipe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto). Gilbert went on solo taking the stage win and the first yellow jersey of this years Tour. Boonen finished in 23rd place, 6 seconds behind Gilbert.
The 98th Tour de France started this afternoon at the well-known Passage du Gois. Right after the start signal, three riders attacked and escaped the peloton. The Dutchman Lieuwe Westra (Vacansoleil-DCM) and the French riders Jeremy Roy (Française des Jeux) and Perrig Quemeneur (Europcar) attacked from the bunch and opened up a maximum gap of almost 7 minutes. At the only intermediate sprint their advantage was just 3 minutes, but the peloton didn`t rush to reel the escapees in. After 173 kilometers Westra, Roy and Quemeneur were caught by the bunch, which was preparing for a thrilling final. Niki Terpstra was not in the bunch at that moment as he was troubled by a crash earlier in the stage and almost lost 7 minutes. The crash was minor and didn't result in any injuries. With an uphill finish several riders were aiming for a stage win. Also the first yellow jersey went through the minds of several riders, which caused a hectic final 10 kilometers. Everybody wanted to be in the front at the same time. At 8 kilometers from the line, a rider crashed into a spectator, causing a domino-effect of crashing riders. Tom Boonen, Sylvain Chavanel, Jerome Pineau, Kevin de Weert and Gert Steegmans avoided the crash and stayed in the front. With 3 kilometers to go there was another crash, leaving Boonen in the front as only Quick-Step rider.
A late attack of Cancellara highlighted the final kilometers. Gilbert countered the Swiss champion, while Boonen dropped some places in the group. Gilbert caught Cancellara, took the stage and the first yellow jersey. Boonen finished in 23rd place. "The last kilometers were super fast. There were some incredible accelerations, practically sprints within the sprints. In the last meters I was right on Hushovd's back wheel, in a good position. When Gilbert took off we all tried to sprint but there was nothing to be done. The arrival wasn't exactly suited to my skills but I tried, I did the maximum," Boonen said after the stage.
General Classification After Stage 1
1. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
2. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team
3. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Team Garmin-Cervelo
4. Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar Team
5. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
6. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Procycling
7. Andreas Klöden (Ger) Team RadioShack
8. Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne
9. Christopher Horner (USA) Team RadioShack
10. Tony Martin (Ger) HTC-Highroad
Jersey Leaders After Stage 1
maillot jaune - Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
maillot vert - Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
maillot a pois rouges - Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
maillot blanc - Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Procycling
Next: Stage 2 - Les Essarts (TTT) 23km
Photo: - Michael Steele/Getty Images
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