Tour De France 2016: Stage 1 Results, Overall Standings and Highlights
Dimension Data sprinter Mark Cavendish won the opening stage of the 2016 Tour de France on Saturday, grabbing hold of the yellow jersey for the first time in his long career.
The veteran beat a host of star sprinters to the finish line, including Marcel Kittel of Etixx-Quick-Step, Andre Greipel of Lotto-Soudal and Tinkoff-Saxo's Peter Sagan.
Former Tour winner and general classification contender Alberto Contador of Tinkoff suffered a heavy crash on the way to Utah Beach, but he returned to the road quickly and appeared to be fine.
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Here's a look at the stage results, courtesy of Sky Sports Cycling:
The general classification:
| 1 | Mark Cavendish (GBr) Dimension Data | 4:13:55 |
| 2 | Marcel Kittel (Ger) Etixx - Quick-Step | 0:00:04 |
| 3 | Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff Team | 0:00:06 |
| 4 | Andre Greipel (Ger) Lotto Soudal | 0:00:10 |
| 5 | Edward Theuns (Bel) Trek-Segafredo | Same Time |
Recap
Unlike many of the previous years, the Tour organisers opted against a prologue for the Grand Depart and instead gave the sprinters a chance to shine on opening day. The ride from Mont-Saint-Michel to Utah Beach was mostly flat, and while early attacks were expected, a bunch sprint seemed inevitable.
The picturesque backdrop of Mont-Saint-Michel made for some spectacular photos ahead of the start, and Velo Peloton got in on the action:
While the favourites didn't seem too concerned with the course, strong crosswinds were a factor. Last year, the peloton suffered a split during the stage to Neeltje Jans, which played out in similar conditions, and once again, crashes were possible.
Cannondale's Alex Howes and Anthony Delaplace of Fortuneo-Vital Concept were part of an early break that would fracture as the stage wore on, and only the two would survive with 50 kilometres to go. This gave the sprint teams the perfect scenario, as they could aim for the duo and start forming their trains on the way to Utah Beach.
The inevitable split in the peloton occurred with 87 kilometres left to race, and Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2r-La Mondiale) was one of the top riders stuck in the secondary group. However, the Italian was fortunate, as he avoided a big crash that occurred just a few kilometres later.
Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas and Luke Rowe hit the asphalt, as did Contador, who suffered quite a bit of damage in the process.
Cycling writer Neal Rogers shared footage of the crash:
The Spaniard had to get on his bike fast, as he couldn't afford to lose any time in the opening stage. As shared by this fan, the results of the crash weren't pretty, although his injuries appeared minor and his cadence was unaffected as he returned to the peloton:
Etixx-Quick-Step and Lotto-Soudal controlled the tempo in the peloton, preparing the sprint for their top riders, Kittel and Greipel, while Delaplace tried to ditch Howes in his quest for the Prix de la Combativite.
Meanwhile, the Tour's live broadcast was providing stunning images from the finish line at Utah Beach, and Velocast's Scott O'Raw even took his eye off the action at hand for a moment:
With 11 kilometres still to go, the sprint teams had yet to engage in the peloton, and the gap was still 20 seconds. But the riders chose this time to kick up their speed above 60 kilometres per hour, with Etixx taking the lead, and the two leaders were caught with the finish line virtually in sight.
Lotto-Soudal took the lead from Katusha past the flamme rouge, while Kittel was out of position, and it was Sagan who opened the sprint. Cavendish and Kittel closed him down, and the Manx Missile crossed the finish line first.
Eurosport's Felix Lowe was as shocked as everyone to see Cavendish in yellow for the first time:
As reported by Peter Cossins of Cycling News, Cavendish described how special it was for him to finally put on the maillot jaune:
"I’m so happy. I really wanted to win here today. The lads were incredble. Edvald [Boasson Hagen] did the most incredible turn at the end. He rode out of skin today. I’m so happy to do this for Dimension Data today. There’s no better way to highlight the Quebeka charity.
It's quite emotional. This is the only jersey in cycling I’ve not worn. I’ve had all three points jerseys, the worlds jerseys and the leaders jerseys in the Giro and the Vuelta and now this. I just wanted to win the stage and to wear this jersey is an honour. I’ve built my whole career on this race.
"
Sunday's ride to Cherbourg will hand the likes of Sagan and Alejandro Valverde of Movistar a golden opportunity for a stage win, as the final climb up Glacerie is perfectly suited for the Classics riders.
Similar to last year's finish up the Mur de Huy, it may even tempt one or two of the favourites to try their luck, although the likes of Contador, Sky's Chris Froome and Movistar's Nairo Quintana will be aiming for the high mountains to come.
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