Cycling: The Tour de France is rolling! On the first stage, Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors) secured his first stage victory in front of world champion Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) and Marcel Kittel (Katusha-Alpecin) directly on his first participation. The start was overshadowed by numerous falls and defects, which already brought some co-favorites - including Chris Froome (Sky) and Nairo Quintana (Movistar) - a time deficit.
Grand Départ in the Vendée: 176 professionals cycle off
A week later than usual, the 2018 Tour de France picked up speed. Also due to the football World Cup, the finish line was scheduled before 16 p.m. There was still enough to do for the pros. In the Vendée, 201 flat kilometers had to be covered between Noirmoutier-en-Ile and Fontenay-le-Comte. But the profile looked easier than the race actually was. Because of the first 130 kilometers along the Atlantic coast, the journey south in western France was quite demanding. It was no wonder that the first attacks were made right after the start. Unusual, however, that the first attempt was made immediately on the first stage of the Tour de France. With Jerome Cousin (direct energy), Yoann Offredo (Wanty Groupe Gobert) and Kevin Ledanois (Fortuneo-Samsic) drivers from three of the four teams invited by wildcard broke away. Not surprisingly, Direct Energie presented itself actively. After all, the French team is based in the Vendée.
Ledanois conquers the mountain jersey
Although the top trio was allowed to drive at kilometer zero, they didn't give them a big lead. The maximum lead of the three French was just over four minutes. When the first sprint of the 119,5th Tour de France was held after 105 kilometers, the gap fell drastically. Cousin secured the 20 points ahead of Ledanois and Offredo. With the exception of Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL-Jumbo), all well-known sprinters in the peloton took part in the battle for fourth place. Faster than André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) was only Fernando Gaviria (Quick Step Floors). The top trio was clearly more interested in the mountains classification. The Cote de Vix is a fourth category mountain that had to be crossed after 173,0 kilometers. However, at 700 meters long and with an average gradient of 4,2 percent, it was a small hillock at best. Secured the point Kevin Ledanois, with which he can start tomorrow in a mountain jersey.
Falls & breakdowns: Many top drivers lose touch
With 23 kilometers to go, Kevin Ledanois dropped back into the peloton. Since there was now only one duo in front, a driver from the field got a second for free in the bonus sprint after 187,5 kilometers. This secured itself Oliver naesen (AG2R La Mondiale) with a spirited attack behind Jérôme Cousin and Yoann Offredo. The Belgian probably wanted to ensure that the team car could take a better position in the motorcade tomorrow. If Lawson Craddock (EF Education) will tackle the second stage is still unclear. The American fell far away from the television cameras and clearly suffered far behind the peloton. Around eleven kilometers before the finish, other professionals lost contact after a small mass crash, including top sprinters Arnaud Demare (Groupama-FDJ) and the classification drivers Richie porte (BMC), Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) and Pierre Latour (AG2R La Mondiale). Just five kilometers from the finish, last year's winners were also caught Chris Froome (Sky). Nairo Quintana (Movistar) suffered a rear wheel defect just a short time later.
Gaviria secures his first yellow jersey
During all the hustle and bustle on the last eleven kilometers, spectators quickly lost track. Numerous professionals had lost touch and fought to limit the damage. Meanwhile, the mass sprint was in full swing. The Quick-Step Floors team was up front with nearly all of the people controlling the pace. Maximiliano Richeze drew the sprint for his captain Fernando Gaviria exemplary. All the Colombian had to do was drive past and spread his arms to cheer. Behind him secured world champion Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) Second place Marcel Kittel (Katusha-Alpecin) and alexander kristoff (UAE Team Emirates). Fernando Gaviria thus won his first Tour de France stage on his first participation and will therefore start tomorrow in the yellow jersey.
El primer lider del #TDF2018 sera colombiano!
Fernando Gaviria venció in the first esprint! Froome y Porte perdieron 51", Quintana 1'15"
1. 🇨🇴 Fernando Gaviria (QST)
2. 🇸🇰 Peter Sagan (BOH)
3. 🇬🇧 Marcel Kittel (TKA)pic.twitter.com/fNQKt7QMlg— Maillot Arcoiris (@MaillotArcoiris) July 7, 2018
