Tour de France: Cancellara Wins, Wiggins Impressive

Fabian Cancellara (Radioshack-Nissan) was a decisive winner of the Tour de France Prologue in Liege (Belgium) and will wear Yellow for the first road stage on Sunday.

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Winners & Jerseys  — Stage: Cancellara | Yellow: Cancellara |
| White: Teejay van Garderen | Team: Sky |  Points: Cancellara

Bradley Wiggins meanwhile put time into all the other GC contenders and whilst not a lot of time, any seconds gained has to be better these days when races can be won or lost by seconds rather minutes.

Back in 2004, the Swiss machine Cancellara who rides like clockwork in a time trial, won in Liege beating Lance Armstrong and today, he was even more impressive, putting seven seconds into Bradley Wiggins who had just taken the lead by a few hundredths of a second from Sylvain Chavanel (Quickstep).

Cancellara’s win means like Bernard Hinault, he has won on the first day of the Tour no less than five times. The four-time Time Trial World champion won in Liege in 2004, London in 2007, Monaco in 2009, and Rotterdam in 2010. He will start the next stage wearing the Yellow jersey.

Whilst Sky put two riders into the top five (Wiggins and Boasson-Hagen), BMC also had a good stage with defending Tour champion Cadel Evans in in 13th place and losing less time than his time trial in the Dauphine suggested he might do. His team-mate Teejay van Garderen did even better and will wear the White (young rider) jersey after finishing the prologue in fourth place.

Hero of the classics in 2011, Philippe Gilbert was 9th for BMC whilst his teammate, Britain’s Stephen Cummings (BMC) was 17th with the same time as David Millar. Any challenge that Mark Cavendish might have put up after having won prologues in the past disappeared in the wind of Liege as he finished down the order in 41st place.

It was warm and dry for the start of the 99th Tour de France around the streets of Leige where the riders faced a 6.4km time trial. Whilst there was heart ache for World Champion (TT) Tony Martin who punctured and had to have a bike change whilst in the running to win the prologue after the first split, the recently crowned French Time Trial champion Sylvain Chavanel took over the hot seat from Edvald Boasson Hagen.

One of the pre-race favorites, Peter Sagan was 9” behind at the 3.2km mark and then, after nearly crashing on a roundabout when he had to unclip his left foot in order to save himself from falling after hi-siding his bike – he lost even more time. He finished 17” behind Chavanel who continued to hold off all the other challengers until Wiggins shaded his time to take the lead.

As good as Wiggins was however, he could do nothing to stop Fabian Cancellara who justfied his tag as favourite and his winning margin of seven seconds showed that after a slow start to the year, the Swiss rider is in form for the Tour and who knows, the Olympics that follow.

Wiggins: “I’m really happy, the legs felt good and I stayed calm and relaxed,” said Wiggins afterwards. “It’s a good start and the main thing was to stay upright, safe and trouble-free – it’s nice to get this first day out of the way. Fair play to Fabian, he’s the best in the world at what he does and I think he proved that again today.”

Sean Yates, Team Sky Sports Director: “In the grand scheme of things it was a good day and we cannot complain. Bradley set a great time on a course that doesn’t particularly suit him. We are in a great position. When Bradley opened it up it was plain to see that his condition is really good. It is just a question of staying out of trouble at the moment, starting tomorrow. It was great to see strong rides from Edvald and Froomey today and a strong start for the team across the board.”

Fabian Cancellara meanwhile says, “I have memories today of winning 8 years ago and that was very special.  When you are 23 and win, then 8 years later do it again, it’s a very special thing for me, my family and especially for the team.  This is a great opening for our Tour.  A lot of pressure went away with this win.  But we all want success and success is never easy.  The whole team did a big effort.”

“Now the Tour can start for us and you will see RadioShack Nissan trek at the front. This win gives me confidence for what is coming in the days ahead, especially after my crash earlier this year. It’s just great. I’m proud to be in yellow now. I won’t say yellow gives you wings, but I will do my best to defend the jersey.”

Meanwhile, popular Frenchman  Sylvain Chavanel admits it was a good prologue for him. “I did a great race,” Chavanel said. “I wanted to make a good performance. From the beginning of the season I’m doing good in the time trials.”

“I knew that the specialists could beat me, but I’m super happy in any case. I have no regrets. I really did my best to honour my brand new French champion jersey. It’s a third place in a prologue of the tour against the best time trialists of the world. I’m disappointed for the flat tyre of Tony. Today he was really strong and he could have fought with Cancellara until the end. The Tour is just getting started. I have time to try to attack and do something good. Today is my birthday and even without a victory, we are going to celebrate!”

Tony Martin: “I had a flat tyre after the first split time,” Martin said. “I could feel that I was slipping away on the last roundabout and thought ‘OK, maybe it’s just a little bit slippery,’ but then I realized I had a flat in the back and had to change the bike. I think it was a quick change, but it kills the morale and the rhythm.”

“I’m really disappointed. I still have a good time, and I think would have a made a really good time without the flat tire. I wanted to fight for the Yellow. I’m disappointed, but I thought ‘just keep on fighting, the long time trials are coming.’ I can tell I have very good condition and now I have to fight now for the next time trial.”

“Now my goal is to keep the morale, stay in front, show the strengths of me and the whole team, and try again in the long time trial,” Martin said finally.

White jersey Teejay van Garderen (BMC) was fourth, one place ahead of a potential rival in the race for the white jersey, Edvald Boasson Hagen.

“It’s not often that I’m on the good side of a close call so I didn’t think it was bound to happen but I was a little worried about Boasson Hagen going into this but I’m definitely thrilled to take the white jersey. Defending this jersey is not the goal; we have one goal here and that’s to get Cadel in yellow in Paris but if I can be of good support for him in the mountains then we’ll see…”

“If I can be up there with Cadel and help him out in the final then we should be able to stay ahead by just doing my job, so I think I can hold the white jersey for another day.

“I worked really hard for a result like this and I think it really shows that my form is one schedule to do my job for the rest of the Tour. We have full confidence in Cadel again. He’s had a bit of a struggle here and there this year but all in all, he has three wins under his belt and he’s been on the podium at the Dauphiné and his form is coming in right on time. Cadel is flying right now and I think today I proved that I can be there to support him.”

Prologue

1 Cancellara Fabian Radioshack-Nissan
2 Wiggins Bradley Sky Procycling + 00′ 07”
3 Chavanel Sylvain Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 00′ 07”
4 van Garderen Tejay Bmc Racing Team + 00′ 10”
5 Boasson Hagen Edvald Sky Procycling + 00′ 11”
6 Lancaster Brett Daniel Orica Greenedge + 00′ 11”
7 Gretsch Patrick Team Argos-Shimano + 00′ 12”
8 Menchov Denis Katusha Team + 00′ 13”
9 Gilbert Philippe Bmc Racing Team + 00′ 13”
10 Grivko Andriy Astana Pro Team + 00′ 15”
11 Froome Christopher Sky Procycling + 00′ 16”
12 Velits Peter Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 00′ 17”
13 Evans Cadel Bmc Racing Team + 00′ 17”
14 Nibali Vincenzo Liquigas-Cannondale + 00′ 18”
15 Hesjedal Ryder Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda + 00′ 18”
16 Millar David Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda + 00′ 18”
17 Cummings Stephen Bmc Racing Team + 00′ 18”
18 Voigt Jens Radioshack-Nissan + 00′ 19”
19 Klöden Andréas Radioshack-Nissan + 00′ 19”
20 Nuyens Nick Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank + 00′ 20”
21 Albasini Michael Orica Greenedge + 00′ 20”
22 Hincapie George Bmc Racing Team + 00′ 20”
23 Henderson Gregory Lotto-Belisol Team + 00′ 20”
24 Westra Lieuwe Vacansoleil-Dcm + 00′ 20”
25 Kittel Marcel Team Argos-Shimano + 00′ 21”
26 Plaza Molina Ruben Movistar Team + 00′ 21”
27 Knees Christian Sky Procycling + 00′ 21”
28 Mollema Bauke Rabobank Cycling Team + 00′ 21”
29 Ladagnous Matthieu Fdj-Bigmat + 00′ 21”
30 Farrar Tyler Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda + 00′ 21”
31 Monfort Maxime Radioshack-Nissan + 00′ 22”
32 Brajkovic Janez Astana Pro Team + 00′ 22”
33 Koren Kristijan Liquigas-Cannondale + 00′ 22”
34 Impey Daryl Orica Greenedge + 00′ 22”
35 Vande Velde Christian Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda + 00′ 22”
36 Porte Richie Sky Procycling + 00′ 22”
37 Taaramae Rein Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne + 00′ 22”
38 Roy Jérémy Fdj-Bigmat + 00′ 22”
39 Langeveld Sebastian Orica Greenedge + 00′ 22”
40 Pastarloza Mikel Euskaltel – Euskadi + 00′ 23”
41 Cavendish Mark Sky Procycling + 00′ 23”
42 Peraud Jean-Christophe Ag2r La Mondiale + 00′ 23”
43 Greipel André Lotto-Belisol Team + 00′ 23”
44 O’grady Stuart Orica Greenedge + 00′ 23”
45 Martin Tony Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 00′ 23”
46 Marcato Marco Vacansoleil-Dcm + 00′ 23”
47 Gusev Vladimir Katusha Team + 00′ 24”
48 Pinot Thibaut Fdj-Bigmat + 00′ 24”
49 Larsson Gustav Vacansoleil-Dcm + 00′ 24”
50 Zubeldia Haimar Radioshack-Nissan + 00′ 24”
51 Morkov Michael Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank + 00′ 24”
52 Poels Wouter Vacansoleil-Dcm + 00′ 24”
53 Sagan Peter Liquigas-Cannondale + 00′ 24”
54 Paulinho Sergio Miguel Moreira Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank + 00′ 24”
55 Martin Daniel Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda + 00′ 24”
56 Roche Nicolas Ag2r La Mondiale + 00′ 25”
57 Kiryienka Vasili Movistar Team + 00′ 25”
58 Lemoine Cyril Saur-Sojasun + 00′ 25”
59 Costa Rui Alberto Movistar Team + 00′ 25”
60 Weening Pieter Orica Greenedge + 00′ 25”
61 Rogers Michael Sky Procycling + 00′ 25”
62 Coppel Jérôme Saur-Sojasun + 00′ 25”
63 Ivtsov Kanstantsin Sky Procycling + 00′ 25”
64 Tankink Bram Rabobank Cycling Team + 00′ 25”
65 Gesink Robert Rabobank Cycling Team + 00′ 26”
66 Vinokourov Alexandre Astana Pro Team + 00′ 26”
67 Gutierrez José Ivan Movistar Team + 00′ 26”
68 Vanotti Alessandro Liquigas-Cannondale + 00′ 26”
69 Zabriskie David Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda + 00′ 26”
70 Grabsch Bert Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 00′ 26”
71 Kessiakoff Fredrik Astana Pro Team + 00′ 26”
72 de Kort Koen Team Argos-Shimano + 00′ 27”
73 Roux Anthony Fdj-Bigmat + 00′ 27”
74 Sanchez Luis-Leon Rabobank Cycling Team + 00′ 27”
75 Kadri Blel Ag2r La Mondiale + 00′ 28”
76 Oss Daniel Liquigas-Cannondale + 00′ 28”
77 van Den Broeck Jurgen Lotto-Belisol Team + 00′ 28”
78 Hondo Danilo Lampre – Isd + 00′ 28”
79 Hansen Adam Lotto-Belisol Team + 00′ 28”
80 Leipheimer Levi Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 00′ 28”
81 Quinziato Manuel Bmc Racing Team + 00′ 28”
82 Sieberg Marcel Lotto-Belisol Team + 00′ 28”
83 Gallopin Tony Radioshack-Nissan + 00′ 29”
84 Gerrans Simon Orica Greenedge + 00′ 29”
85 Riblon Christophe Ag2r La Mondiale + 00′ 29”
86 Devenyns Dries Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 00′ 29”
87 Goss Matthew Harley Orica Greenedge + 00′ 29”
88 Casar Sandy Fdj-Bigmat + 00′ 29”
89 Chär Michael Bmc Racing Team + 00′ 29”
90 Basso Ivan Liquigas-Cannondale + 00′ 29”
91 van Summeren Johan Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda + 00′ 30”
92 Kruijswijk Steven Rabobank Cycling Team + 00′ 30”
93 Tjallingii Maarten Rabobank Cycling Team + 00′ 30”
94 Moinard Amaël Bmc Racing Team + 00′ 30”
95 Wynants Maarten Rabobank Cycling Team + 00′ 30”
96 Ghyselinck Jan Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne + 00′ 31”
97 Bouet Maxime Ag2r La Mondiale + 00′ 31”
98 Karpets Vladimir Movistar Team + 00′ 31”
99 Pineau Jérôme Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 00′ 31”
100 Danielson Thomas Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda + 00′ 31”
101 Eisel Bernhard Sky Procycling + 00′ 32”
102 Iglinskiy Maxim Astana Pro Team + 00′ 32”
103 Ruijgh Rob Vacansoleil-Dcm + 00′ 32”
104 Erviti Imanol Movistar Team + 00′ 33”
105 Rojas Jose Joaquin Movistar Team + 00′ 33”
106 Hunter Robert Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda + 00′ 33”
107 Izaguirre Insausti Gorka Euskaltel – Euskadi + 00′ 33”
108 Sorensen Nicki Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank + 00′ 33”
109 Voeckler Thomas Team Europcar + 00′ 33”
110 Veelers Tom Team Argos-Shimano + 00′ 34”
111 Timmer Albert Team Argos-Shimano + 00′ 34”
112 Haedo Juan Jose Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank + 00′ 34”
113 Horner Christopher Radioshack-Nissan + 00′ 34”
114 Zmyd Sylvester Liquigas-Cannondale + 00′ 34”
115 Vichot Arthur Fdj-Bigmat + 00′ 34”
116 Valverde Alejandro Movistar Team + 00′ 35”
117 Urtasun Perez Pablo Euskaltel – Euskadi + 00′ 35”
118 Ten Dam Laurens Rabobank Cycling Team + 00′ 35”
119 Vorganov Eduard Katusha Team + 00′ 35”
120 Freire Oscar Katusha Team + 00′ 36”
121 Popovych Yaroslav Radioshack-Nissan + 00′ 36”
122 Kern Christophe Team Europcar + 00′ 36”
123 Engoulvent Jimmy Saur-Sojasun + 00′ 36”
124 Petacchi Alessandro Lampre – Isd + 00′ 36”
125 Kazfofonov Dmitriy Astana Pro Team + 00′ 36”
126 Velits Martin Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 00′ 36”
127 Bak Lars Lotto-Belisol Team + 00′ 37”
128 Nerz Dominik Liquigas-Cannondale + 00′ 37”
129 Scarponi Michele Lampre – Isd + 00′ 37”
130 de Weert Kevin Omega Pharma-Quick Step + 00′ 37”
131 Huguet Yann Team Argos-Shimano + 00′ 37”
132 Cantwell Jonathan Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank + 00′ 37”
133 Paolini Luca Katusha Team + 00′ 38”
134 Arashiro Yukiya Team Europcar + 00′ 38”
135 Bozic Borut Astana Pro Team + 00′ 38”
136 Schleck Frank Radioshack-Nissan + 00′ 38”
137 Minard Sébastien Ag2r La Mondiale + 00′ 38”
138 Sorensen Chris Anker Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank + 00′ 38”
139 Moncoutie David Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne + 00′ 39”
140 Boeckmans Kris Vacansoleil-Dcm + 00′ 39”
141 Kashechkin Andrey Astana Pro Team + 00′ 39”
142 Cooke Baden Orica Greenedge + 00′ 39”
143 Fröhlinger Johannes Team Argos-Shimano + 00′ 40”
144 Kroon Karsten Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank + 00′ 40”
145 Sanchez Samuel Euskaltel – Euskadi + 00′ 40”
146 Delaplace Anthony Saur-Sojasun + 00′ 40”
147 Vanendert Jelle Lotto-Belisol Team + 00′ 40”
148 Jeandesboz Fabrice Saur-Sojasun + 00′ 41”
149 Azanza Soto Jorge Euskaltel – Euskadi + 00′ 41”
150 Feillu Brice Saur-Sojasun + 00′ 41”
151 Trofimov Yury Katusha Team + 00′ 42”
152 Kiserlovski Robert Astana Pro Team + 00′ 42”
153 Horrach Joan Katusha Team + 00′ 42”
154 Kuchynski Aliaksandr Katusha Team + 00′ 42”
155 de Greef Francis Lotto-Belisol Team + 00′ 42”
156 Canuti Federico Liquigas-Cannondale + 00′ 43”
157 Fedrigo Pierrick Fdj-Bigmat + 00′ 43”
158 van Hummel Kenny Robert Vacansoleil-Dcm + 00′ 43”
159 Renshaw Mark Rabobank Cycling Team + 00′ 44”
160 Dupont Hubert Ag2r La Mondiale + 00′ 44”
161 Cobo Acebo Juan Jose Movistar Team + 00′ 44”
162 Valls Ferri Rafael Vacansoleil-Dcm + 00′ 44”
163 Gene Yohann Team Europcar + 00′ 44”
164 Fouchard Julien Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne + 00′ 44”
165 Sprick Matthieu Team Argos-Shimano + 00′ 45”
166 Rolland Pierre Team Europcar + 00′ 45”
167 Hinault Sébastien Ag2r La Mondiale + 00′ 45”
168 Bernaudeau Giovanni Team Europcar + 00′ 45”
169 Roelandts Jurgen Lotto-Belisol Team + 00′ 45”
170 Stortoni Simone Lampre – Isd + 00′ 45”
171 Dumoulin Samuel Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne + 00′ 46”
172 Simon Julien Saur-Sojasun + 00′ 46”
173 Malacarne Davide Team Europcar + 00′ 46”
174 Gautier Cyril Team Europcar + 00′ 46”
175 Adi Gregorio Rémy Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne + 00′ 47”
176 Hoogerland Johnny Vacansoleil-Dcm + 00′ 47”
177 Edet Nicolas Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne + 00′ 47”
178 Zingle Romain Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne + 00′ 48”
179 Burghardt Marcus Bmc Racing Team + 00′ 49”
180 Hutarovich Yauheni Fdj-Bigmat + 00′ 49”
181 Pineau Cedric Fdj-Bigmat + 00′ 50”
182 Krivtsov Yuriy Lampre – Isd + 00′ 50”
183 Martinez Egoi Euskaltel – Euskadi + 00′ 50”
184 Levarlet Guillaume Saur-Sojasun + 00′ 51”
185 Bole Grega Lampre – Isd + 00′ 52”
186 Txurruka Amets Euskaltel – Euskadi + 00′ 52”
187 Marzano Marco Lampre – Isd + 00′ 52”
188 Caruso Gianpaolo Katusha Team + 00′ 55”
189 Jerome Vincent Team Europcar + 00′ 57”
190 Pmate Mardones Luis Angel Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne + 00′ 57”
191 Pverdugo Gorka Euskaltel – Euskadi + 01′ 01”
192 Marino Jean Marc Saur-Sojasun + 01′ 01”
193 Avigano Davide Lampre – Isd + 01′ 02”
194 Perez Moreno Ruben Euskaltel – Euskadi + 01′ 02”
195 Lund Anders Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank + 01′ 03”
196 Lloyd Matthew Lampre – Isd + 01′ 05”
197 Cherel Mikael Ag2r La Mondiale + 01′ 06”
198 Curvers Roy Team Argos-Shimano + 01′ 06”

 

 

 

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