Tour de France – Stage 1

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Agony & Ecstasy: Marcel Kittell wins the first stage of the 2014 Tour de France and takes the Yellow jersey whilst Cavendish crashes out

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Tour de France – Stage 1

Just like in 2013, Marcel Kittel (Giant Shimano) won stage 1 of the Tour de France as he avoided the chaos behind as his rivals came crashing down.

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The dream of yellow of hot favourite, Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma Quickstep), ended with a nasty crash 300 metres before the finish in Harrogate. The winner of 25 stages in the Tour was boxed in by Peter Sagan in a scramble for Kittel’s wheel and so to try and escape, the Isle of Man rider was leaning on Simon Gerrans who in turn was being leant on by Frenchman Bryan Coquard.

With Gerrans unable to go anywhere, him, Cavendish and another came crashing down. The British rider was down for a long time and crossed the line in pain and holding his arm. A broken collarbone or shoulder was suspected but report are it is (dislocated/separated) right shoulder. No fractures but very painful and it’s said that a decision will be made in the morning on whether Cavendish can start or not stage 2.

Omega Pharma – Quick-Step confirmed that Mark Cavendish underwent further examination on his right shoulder after today’s crash. The imaging underlined ligament ruptures with an AC-joint dislocation, which causes him a lot of pain. A final decision on his participation in tomorrow’s stage will be taken tomorrow morning.

“I’m gutted about the crash today,” Cavendish said. “It was my fault. I’ll personally apologize to Simon Gerrans as soon as I get the chance. In reality, I tried to find a gap that wasn’t really there. I wanted to win today, I felt really strong and was in a great position to contest the sprint thanks to the unbelievable efforts of my team. Sorry to all the fans that came out to support – it was truly incredible.”

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Photo: PelotonPhotos.com          

The finish of the stage, which was held in sunshine and in front of a million or so people packing the roadside to see Le Tour, was thrown into chaos as the legend Fabian Cancellera attacked late on a lumpy run in to Harrogate. Despite the speed of the sprint trains already at full tilt, the Swiss rider opened up a good lead and Quickstep were soon out of riders and Giant Shimano, who left their run late, had control for Kittel whilst behind, Cav was in a box which he never got out of.

Grand Départ for Jarrier, Edet and Voigt
Tour de France rookie Benoît Jarrier (Bretagne-Séché Environnement) was the first attacker of the 101st edition as he went away as the flag was pulled into the lead car after the ribbon cutting ceremony honoured by the Duchess of Cambridge along with her husband Prince William and his brother Prince Harry at Harewood House.

Inspired by this royal Grand Départ, the oldest rider of the race Jens Voigt (Trek Factory Racing) made his move and was accompanied by Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) to make it a leading trio that was given its freedom by the peloton. All three riders had the same ambition of hunting for King of the Mountains points and taking the first polka dot jersey.

Jarrier was the fastest atop the first climb with the crowd so numerous on the road that Edet had to push his way past to chase him and the two Frenchman then battled elbow to elbow for the single point on offer. Voigt knew that he had to try a different tactic after that first mountain top sprint.

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Photo: PelotonPhotos.com          

Voigt takes two Frenchmen by surprise

Jarrier and Edet weren’t interested by the intermediate sprint at Newbiggin as they didn’t feel concerned by the green jersey, so they let Voigt go for it but the German’s acceleration was all about putting time into his two breakaway companions explaining later, he didn’t have the youthful burst of speed they did but he had a big diesel engine to power his breakaway.

Voigt continued his solo effort after km 77 and took two points at the top of cote de Buttertubs in front of a yet another enormous crowd. He doubled that atop Grinton Moor Hill and by then his legs were buckling and no amount of resistance or shouting at them from Voigt could bring them back to life. He was resigned to being caught with 59km to go.

Behind, either the climbs or the numerous little stops on the slopes as the road narrowed with the size of the crowds caused splits and some big names were losing time. Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha), Chris Horner (Lampre-Merida), Christophe Riblon (AG2R-La Mondiale), Dani Navarro (Cofidis), Thibaut Pinot (FDJ.fr) and others…

After regrouping, the peloton rode on, cruising with a few riders like Petacchi now many minutes down. Despite a three-quarter tail wind, it was if all contenders were satisfied with a bunch sprint finish. Lotto-Belisol did as they did for most of the stage and tried to control the peloton until Omega Pharma-Quick Step took the command with 4km to go.

But then Fabian Cancellara (Trek) tried his luck under the flamme rouge and the chaos after that saw the high speed crash for Cavendish and Gerrans whilst Kittel showed yet again that he is the fastest man in the world …

Marcel Kittel: Yellow jersey and stage winner, explained ““It was a really special day today – the supporters lining the roads were incredible. I am so proud and this means so much to me that we made it happen. It was so hard!”

“The hill in the last kilometre made it very difficult to win. There were so many people that we rode the finale like in a tunnel with a terrible noise. It’s unbelievable that I win stage 1 again. I had good legs today and my guys did an excellent job. Our plan was to control the race with the other sprinters’ teams. This yellow jersey is for my team-mates. They were completely dedicated to that one goal.”

“It’s a big big relief to pay them back with a win. I knew from last year how hard it is to win at the Tour de France but I realized today how much harder it is to win stage 1 a second time. Tomorrow will be another day with a lot of ups and downs. I’m not sure if we, the sprinters, can compete for the win again.”

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Photo: PelotonPhotos.com          

Simon Gerrans, talking to Jill Douglas of ITV, said afterwards “I’m not sure what happened just yet but will watch the replay when I get back to the hotel. It was pretty unfortunate to get caught up in a crash so close to the finish. I was ideally placed and hoping to be sprinting for the win so it’s pretty disappointing to be starting the Tour de France like this.”

“I’m not going to hospital but will be a bit stiff and sore tomorrow as I’ve lost a bit of skin but I think I’m in one piece. The crowds were unbelievable. I hate to think how many people were out there watching but there are not many times in my career I have raced in front of so many people.”

Peter Sagan – The Green jersey favourite said afterwards “I started my sprint maybe too early but Kittel was too strong for me anyway. He beat me by the length of one bike. I’m happy with my result today. I’ve avoided crashing and I’ve scored points. The crash happened behind me, I didn’t realize anything. It’s sad but it’s part of cycling, especially at the Tour de France. The public at the Tour de France is incredible but also dangerous, I wish people paid more attention… Now I have the white jersey, tomorrow the yellow? Whatever happens tomorrow, I’m here for winning the green jersey, that’s all.”

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Photo: PelotonPhotos.com          In the white jersey of best young rider, Peter Sagan.

Jens Voigt: Jen’s who has ridden on the roads before many years ago and in that race, won the mountain’s jersey, says of his ride on stage 1 “I enjoyed the first few minutes and then I thought what the heck was I thinking! No, I enjoyed it but it was a lot of hard work. You could probably tell by my facial expressions that it wasn’t a stroll in the park for me but I could see what was on the line.”

“After the first mountain sprint, I realised, ok, I can’t beat them in a sprint because I don’t have the freshness that young people have, I don’t have the punch but what I do have is the desire to go and the big diesel engine and knew I needed to go long”.

“I paid a high price but I am here and happy now!” Jens then paid Yorkshire a big compliment saying it was second to none with the size of the crowd that came out to watch and it was a dream come true to see.

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Photo: PelotonPhotos.com Prince William helps Kittel on with the Green jersey along with Bernard Hinault

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The Red Arrows add some colour to the official start at Harewood. Photo: PelotonPhotos.com 

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Kittel celebrates the win with Degenkolb after his victory. John Degenkolb said afterwards “Today was really special – from the start the race was amazing with fans two, three, four deep lining the whole route,” confirmed John after the stage. We did a great job today and waited until the right time. When Cancellara attacked near the finish at first it was tense but we stayed calm as there was still a long way to go. It feels amazing to win again as a team like this and what a way to start the Tour.”  Photo: PelotonPhotos.com 

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 Photo: PelotonPhotos.com Cavendish crosses the line in pain before being taken to hospital.

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Prime Minister and son try and get a close look at the finish.  Photo: PelotonPhotos.com 

Chris Froome said on his team’s website “The crowds out there were incredible – second to none. It was relatively straightforward today. I think everyone knew it was going to come down to a bunch sprint. It was just a shame for Cav obviously in the final. It would have been nice to have a British victory today but that’s racing”.

“I’m feeling good. Today was more about staying out of trouble and getting to the finish without big issues. The guys did a good job of keeping me out of harm’s way. I knew car positioning is quite a big issue and I realise we don’t really have a sprinter here so it would be good to get a good position for tomorrow. I was just well positioned. The crash with Cav happened on the left and I was on the right”.

“Tomorrow is going to be a really tough stage. The crowds out on the climbs today were massive. At one point we only had about a metre and a half to ride on the road. I think we can expect the same tomorrow. The crowds were well behaved but if anything I’d just ask if the crowds could give us a bit of space.”

Welshman Geraint Thomas said of his stage “I was with Froomey, maybe 20, or 30 riders back, I saw some people leaning then all of a sudden there were just bodies on the floor. Fortunately we managed to avoid it because we were going quite slow up the last hill” he told Eurosport. “It was all about being in a decent position going into that last drag. Bernie Eisel did a great job and I sort of just shepherded Froomey, and then all of a sudden with a kilometre to go he just sprints past me and starts going!”

“But he’s obviously in good form, he’s keen to just stay out of trouble so sixth is a nice little result for him. The crowds are just unbelievable, it’s like being in a disco for a few hours, my ears are ringing now. I really enjoyed it, the biggest bike race in the world coming to the UK. I think a lot could happen tomorrow, that last climb is challenging, we did it in a recon and it’s one of those, a bit like San Remo style of racing, people go and it’s touch and go whether or not it will come back.”

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The Royal family pose for the cameras with Simon Yates, Andre Griepel and peloton looking on.  Photo: PelotonPhotos.com 

Fabian Cancellera: The rider who caused so much chaos and almost pulled off a fabulous win explained “For three hours I had nothing on my mind except that Jensie was in the break.  I had to focus a lot on the roller coaster roads, the wind, the stress of the Tour; it was not an easy day, of course. But I knew even if it was going to be a sprint, there had to be another possibility, and I found this one possibility, and that is why I went. It was just 200-250 meters too long. It was with intuition that I went – it’s confidence, a feeling, to see this moment; the occasion was there and I took it.”

Joaquim Rodriguez gave no hint afterwards of whether he was in trouble when caught out in a split “I have good feelings after the stage. I tried to not take any risk and to pass the stage calmly and without pressure. I am pretty satisfied with my first stage at the Tour de France”

Not a good day for Lampre-Merida

Tour of Spain winner Chris Horner on the way back from injury, was caught up behind a crash that meant he had to spend a lot of energy chasing. The day was even worse for Sacha Modolo, who could not take part in the sprint: he was dropped from the main bunch because of some breaks in the group and he could n ot rely on Richeze in chasing the peloton since the Argentinian sprinter crashed (grazes on the right knee and bruised hip). Modolo did not not get back to the group.

World Champion Rui Costa commented: “Today it was important to avoid troubles and crashes, because everybody wants to be in the head of the bunch and the roads were full of fans. The passion by the people was amazing, it was exciting to pedal in a day like this. I thank my mates for the support, we managed to avoid troubles and to solve every complicated situation these kinds of stages propose. Sorry for Modolo who missed the chance to take part in the sprint and for Richeze who crashed”

CLASSIFICATIONS

YELLOW: Marcel Kittel
GREEN: Marcel Kittel
KoM: Jens Voigt
TEAM: Sky
COMBATIVITY: Jens Voigt
YOUNG RIDER: Peter Sagan

RESULT

1 Kittel Marcel Team Giant-Shimano 04h 44′ 07”
2 Sagan Peter Cannondale
3 Navardauskas Ramunas Garmin – Sharp
4 Coquard Bryan Team Europcar
5 Rogers Michael Tinkoff-Saxo
6 Froome Christopher Team Sky
7 Kristoff Alexander Team Katusha
8 Vanmarcke Sep Belkin Pro Cycling
9 Rojas Gil José Joaquin Movistar Team
10 Albasini Michael Orica Greenedge
11 Cancellara Fabian Trek Factory Racing
12 Voss Paul Team Netapp-Endura
13 Van Avermaet Greg Bmc Racing Team
14 Elmiger Martin Iam Cycling
15 Dumoulin Samuel Ag2r La Mondiale
16 Clarke Simon Orica Greenedge
17 Thomas Geraint Team Sky
18 Greipel André Lotto-Belisol
19 De Kort Koen Team Giant-Shimano
20 Van Den Broeck Jurgen Lotto-Belisol
21 Mollema Bauke Belkin Pro Cycling
22 Contador Alberto Tinkoff-Saxo
23 Machado Tiago Team Netapp-Endura
24 Valverde Belmonte Alejandro Movistar Team
25 Acevedo Calle Janier Alexis Garmin – Sharp
26 Konig Leopold Team Netapp-Endura
27 Chavanel Sylvain Iam Cycling
28 Porte Richie Team Sky
29 Fuglsang Jakob Astana Pro Team
30 Delaplace Anthony Bretagne – Seche Environnement
31 Costa Rui Alberto Lampre – Merida
32 Van Garderen Tejay Bmc Racing Team
33 Zubeldia Agirre Haimar Trek Factory Racing
34 Nibali Vincenzo Astana Pro Team
35 Péraud Jean-Christophe Ag2r La Mondiale
36 Bardet Romain Ag2r La Mondiale
37 Fonseca Armindo Bretagne – Seche Environnement
38 Kangert Tanel Astana Pro Team
39 Kruijswijk Steven Belkin Pro Cycling
40 Tankink Bram Belkin Pro Cycling
41 Pinot Thibaut Fdj.Fr
42 Vichot Arthur Fdj.Fr
43 Slagter Tom Jelte Garmin – Sharp
44 Schleck Andy Trek Factory Racing
45 Velits Peter Bmc Racing Team
46 Roche Nicolas Tinkoff-Saxo
47 Nieve Iturralde Mikel Team Sky
48 Barta Jan Team Netapp-Endura
49 Izaguirre Insausti Jon Movistar Team
50 Pineau Jérôme Iam Cycling
51 Van Poppel Danny Trek Factory Racing
52 Huzarski Bartosz Team Netapp-Endura
53 Feillu Romain Bretagne – Seche Environnement
54 Frank Mathias Iam Cycling
55 Feillu Brice Bretagne – Seche Environnement
56 Bauer Jack Garmin – Sharp
57 Rolland Pierre Team Europcar
58 Ten Dam Laurens Belkin Pro Cycling
59 Schleck Frank Trek Factory Racing
60 Demare Arnaud Fdj.Fr
61 Yates Simon Orica Greenedge
62 Westra Lieuwe Astana Pro Team
63 Oliveira Nelson Lampre – Merida
64 Horner Christopher Lampre – Merida
65 Gautier Cyril Team Europcar
66 Scarponi Michele Astana Pro Team
67 Atapuma John Darwin Bmc Racing Team
68 Gastauer Ben Ag2r La Mondiale
69 Stetina Peter Bmc Racing Team
70 Rast Gregory Trek Factory Racing
71 Silin Egor Team Katusha
72 Serpa Jos̩ Lampre РMerida
73 Herrada Lopez Jesus Movistar Team
74 Irizar Arranburu Markel Trek Factory Racing
75 Porsev Alexander Team Katusha
76 Voeckler Thomas Team Europcar
77 Reichenbach Sébastien Iam Cycling
78 Trofimov Yury Team Katusha
79 Kadri Blel Ag2r La Mondiale
80 Grivko Andriy Astana Pro Team
81 Moinard Amaël Bmc Racing Team
82 Lopez Garcia David Team Sky
83 Busche Matthew Trek Factory Racing
84 Sabatini Fabio Cannondale
85 Dumoulin Tom Team Giant-Shimano
86 Molard Rudy Cofidis, Solutions Credits
87 Taaramäe Rein Cofidis, Solutions Credits
88 Martin Tony Omega Pharma-Quick Step
89 Navarro Garcia Daniel Cofidis, Solutions Credits
90 Arashiro Yukiya Team Europcar
91 Roelandts Jurgen Lotto-Belisol
92 Degenkolb John Team Giant-Shimano
93 Wynants Maarten Belkin Pro Cycling
94 Jeannesson Arnold Fdj.Fr
95 Curvers Roy Team Giant-Shimano
96 King Benjamin Garmin – Sharp
97 Pichot Alexandre Team Europcar
98 Bideau Jean-Marc Bretagne – Seche Environnement
99 Mate Mardones Luis Angel Cofidis, Solutions Credits
100 Roy Jérémy Fdj.Fr
101 Garcia Echeguibel Egoitz Cofidis, Solutions Credits
102 Iglinskiy Maxim Astana Pro Team
103 Gadret John Movistar Team
104 Kiryienka Vasili Team Sky
105 Gene Yohann Team Europcar
106 Schär Michael Bmc Racing Team
107 Eisel Bernhard Team Sky
108 Gruzdev Dmitriy Astana Pro Team
109 De Clercq Bart Lotto-Belisol
110 Guillou Florian Bretagne – Seche Environnement
111 Bakelants Jan Omega Pharma-Quick Step
112 Paolini Luca Team Katusha
113 Gallopin Tony Lotto-Belisol
114 Sieberg Marcel Lotto-Belisol
115 Bodnar Maciej Cannondale
116 Edet Nicolas Cofidis, Solutions Credits
117 Devenyns Dries Team Giant-Shimano
118 Hollenstein Reto Iam Cycling
119 Pineau Cedric Fdj.Fr
120 Bonnet William Fdj.Fr
121 Marcato Marco Cannondale
122 Vanotti Alessandro Astana Pro Team
123 Montaguti Matteo Ag2r La Mondiale
124 Renshaw Mark Omega Pharma-Quick Step
125 Valls Rafael Lampre – Merida
126 Erviti Ollo Imanol Movistar Team
127 Plaza Molina Ruben Movistar Team
128 Voigt Jens Trek Factory Racing
129 Zandio Echaide Xabier Team Sky
130 Durasek Kristijan Lampre – Merida
131 Spilak Simon Team Katusha
132 Howes Alex Garmin – Sharp
133 Intxausti Benat Movistar Team
134 Visconti Giovanni Movistar Team
135 Koren Kristijan Cannondale
136 Paulinho Sergio Miguel Moreira Tinkoff-Saxo
137 Ladagnous Matthieu Fdj.Fr
138 Gerard Arnaud Bretagne – Seche Environnement
139 Pimenta Costa Mendes José Team Netapp-Endura
140 Delage Mickaël Fdj.Fr
141 Meier Christian Orica Greenedge
142 Bennati Daniele Tinkoff-Saxo
143 Vachon Florian Bretagne – Seche Environnement
144 Jarrier Benoit Bretagne – Seche Environnement
145 Clement Stef Belkin Pro Cycling
146 Oss Daniel Bmc Racing Team
147 Haussler Heinrich Iam Cycling
148 Schillinger Andreas Team Netapp-Endura
149 Quemeneur Perrig Team Europcar
150 Wyss Marcel Iam Cycling
151 Riblon Christophe Ag2r La Mondiale
152 Cherel Mikael Ag2r La Mondiale
153 Minard Sébastien Ag2r La Mondiale
154 Hayman Mathew Orica Greenedge
155 Hernandez Blazquez Jesus Alberto Tinkoff-Saxo
156 Tosatto Matteo Tinkoff-Saxo
157 Leezer Thomas Belkin Pro Cycling
158 Lemoine Cyril Cofidis, Solutions Credits
159 Rodriguez Joaquim Team Katusha
160 Marino Jean Marc Cannondale
161 Golas Michal Omega Pharma-Quick Step
162 Langeveld Sebastian Garmin – Sharp
163 Tuft Svein Orica Greenedge
164 Durbridge Luke Orica Greenedge
165 Keukeleire Jens Orica Greenedge
166 Gerrans Simon Orica Greenedge
167 Simon Julien Cofidis, Solutions Credits
168 Kwiatkowski Michal Omega Pharma-Quick Step
169 Reza Kévin Team Europcar
170 Trentin Matteo Omega Pharma-Quick Step
171 Van Summeren Johan Garmin – Sharp
172 Cavendish Mark Omega Pharma-Quick Step
173 Boom Lars Belkin Pro Cycling @ 00′ 20”
174 Bak Lars Lotto-Belisol @ 01′ 28”
175 Pate Danny Team Sky @ 01′ 30”
176 Smukulis Gatis Team Katusha @ 01′ 30”
177 Majka Rafal Tinkoff-Saxo @ 01′ 30”
178 Dempster Zakkari Team Netapp-Endura @ 01′ 30”
179 Timmer Albert Team Giant-Shimano @ 01′ 50”
180 Veelers Tom Team Giant-Shimano @ 01′ 50”
181 Burghardt Marcus Bmc Racing Team @ 01′ 54”
182 Viviani Elia Cannondale @ 02′ 05”
183 De Marchi Alessandro Cannondale @ 02′ 05”
184 Morkov Michael Tinkoff-Saxo @ 02′ 15”
185 Terpstra Niki Omega Pharma-Quick Step @ 02′ 22”
186 Petit Adrien Cofidis, Solutions Credits @ 02′ 25”
187 Hansen Adam Lotto-Belisol @ 02′ 29”
188 Henderson Gregory Lotto-Belisol @ 02′ 29”
189 King Edward Cannondale @ 02′ 29”
190 Kluge Roger Iam Cycling @ 02′ 39”
191 De La Cruz Melgarejo David Team Netapp-Endura @ 03′ 11”
192 Ji Cheng Team Giant-Shimano @ 03′ 37”
193 Isaichev Vladimir Team Katusha @ 03′ 47”
194 Talansky Andrew Garmin – Sharp @ 04′ 15”
195 Cimolai Davide Lampre – Merida @ 08′ 52”
196 Modolo Sacha Lampre – Merida @ 08′ 52”
197 Richeze Ariel Maximiliano Lampre – Merida @ 14′ 09”
198 Petacchi Alessandro Omega Pharma-Quick Step @ 14′ 09”

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