Cycling: Tour de France Live! The German team Bora-Argon 18 has a success to report on the first stage of the Tour de France. Paul Voss, together with his team-mate Jan Barta and Leigh Howard from the Swiss team IAM, broke away right at kilometer zero and won both mountain classifications.
Tactical trick by Paul Voss and Jan Barta
Even before the start of the first stage, it was clear that things would really get going at kilometer zero. The first two climbs, which were already crossed after 20,5 and 39,0 kilometers and belong to the fourth category, were far too important for many teams. After the start in Mont-Saint-Michel, which brought unique images for the spectators at home, two drivers from the German team Bora-Argon 18 attacked. Leigh Howard, who was nominated for the IAM team just a few days ago, followed the two hoping to directly crown his late appeal with the polka dot jersey. But this plan didn't work out because Jan Barta attacked a few kilometers before the first mountain classification and thus immediately signaled that Bora-Argon 18 didn't want to miss the chance to win the jersey. Leigh Howard closed the gap, but immediately afterwards Paul Voss attacked. Leigh Howard realized what the hour had come and gave up this game of cat and mouse right from the start. The German Paul Voss was able to secure both mountain classifications as a soloist, while Leigh Howard and Jan Barta were caught by the pursuers Alex Howes (Cannondale) and Anthony Delaplace (Fortuneo-Vital Concept). This will make Paul Voss the first wearer of the Tour de France mountain jersey in 2016. However, defending it tomorrow will be difficult as there are four climbs on the agenda. In the field, the teams of André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) and Marcel Kittel (Etixx-Quick Step) are currently setting the pace. The breakaways have a lead of almost four minutes with 145 kilometers to go.
