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
The 2018 Tour de France got underway a week later than usual. Also due to the FIFA World Cup, the finish was scheduled for before 16 p.m. Nevertheless, the professionals had plenty to do. In the Vendée region, they had to cover 201 flat kilometers between Noirmoutier-en-Ile and Fontenay-le-Comte. However, the profile looked easier than the race actually was. Because of the first 130 kilometers along the Atlantic coast, the ride south in western France was quite demanding. It was no surprise, then, that the first attacks were launched immediately after the start. Unusually, however, the first attack on the very first stage of the Tour de France was successful. Jérôme Cousin (Direct Energie), Yoann Offredo (Wanty-Groupe Gobert), and Kevin Ledanois (Fortuneo-Samsic) – riders from three of the four teams invited via wildcard – broke away. It was hardly surprising that Direct Energie was so active. Finally, the French team is based in the Vendée.
Ledanois conquers the mountain jersey
Although the leading trio was allowed to go ahead from kilometer zero, they weren't given a large advantage. The three Frenchmen's maximum lead was just over four minutes. When the first intermediate sprint of the 105th Tour de France was contested after 119,5 kilometers, the gap shrank dramatically. Cousin secured the 20 points ahead of Ledanois and Offredo. In the peloton, all the big names in sprinting, with the exception of Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL-Jumbo), were involved in the battle for fourth place. Only Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors) was faster than André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) . The leading trio had considerably more interest in the mountain classification. The Côte de Vix is a category four climb that had to be crossed after 173,0 kilometers. However, with a length of 700 meters and an average gradient of 4,2 percent, it was at best a small hill. Kevin Ledanois secured the point , meaning he can start tomorrow wearing the polka dot jersey.
Falls & breakdowns: Many top drivers lose touch
With 23 kilometers to go, Kevin Ledanois dropped back into the peloton. Since only a duo remained at the front, a rider from the peloton was given a one-second advantage in the bonus sprint after 187,5 kilometers. Oliver Naesen (AG2R La Mondiale) secured this with a bold attack behind Jérôme Cousin and Yoann Offredo. The Belgian likely wanted to ensure that the team car would have a better position in the convoy tomorrow. It remains unclear whether Lawson Craddock (EF Education) will start the second stage. The American crashed far from the television cameras and was visibly suffering well behind the main group. Around 11 kilometers from the finish, several more riders lost contact after a small mass crash, including top sprinter Arnaud Démare (Groupama-FDJ) and general classification contenders Richie Porte (BMC), Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott), and Pierre Latour (AG2R La Mondiale). Last year's winner, Chris Froome (Sky), also crashed out just five kilometers from the finish . Nairo Quintana (Movistar) suffered a rear tire puncture shortly afterwards.
Gaviria secures his first yellow jersey
During the chaotic final eleven kilometers, spectators quickly lost track of what was happening. Numerous professionals had been dropped and were fighting to limit the damage. Meanwhile, the mass sprint was in full swing. Team Quick-Step Floors was represented at the front by almost their entire roster and controlled the pace. Maximiliano Richeze perfectly set up the sprint for his captain, Fernando Gaviria . The Colombian simply had to overtake him and spread his arms in celebration. Behind him, world champion Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) secured second place ahead of Marcel Kittel (Katusha-Alpecin) and Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates). Thus, Fernando Gaviria won his first Tour de France stage in his very first appearance and will therefore start tomorrow's race wearing 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 Arcoíris (@MaillotArcoiris) July 7, 2018
