Cycling: Jesper Asselman (Roompot – Charles) has won the opening stage of the Tour de Yorkshire. The Dutchman drove away from the peloton with three companions. He was able to save a few meters as the only remaining escape from the approaching pack across the finish line. In addition, the British team Ineos presented itself to its fan base in the new jersey for the first time today. But there were also some protests against the group.
The sprinter teams gamble
The script for the first stage, a 182,5-kilometer ride from Doncaster to Selby, seemed to have been written all along: Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) could have finally celebrated a victory today after almost 15 months. But in the pouring British rain, this success was denied the Briton. His teammates – like all the other sprinters' helpers – simply miscalculated. Four breakaway riders were left to languish. Unfortunately for them, one of them managed to resist. Jesper Asselman (Roompot – Charles) kept his cool when the quartet came within sight of the peloton in the final kilometer. In the sprint, he immediately managed to create a gap. In doing so, he unintentionally took a spectator's flag with his handlebars. The peloton caught the remaining breakaway riders, but Jesper Asselman was already able to raise his arms in celebration. It probably wouldn't have been enough for Mark Cavendish anyway. The soon-to-be 34-year-old only finished eighth.
Formerly Team Sky: Ineos presents itself – and reaps protests
At the start of the Tour de Yorkshire today, the focus wasn't solely on the stage winner. The British team Ineos – formerly Team Sky – used their home appearance to unveil their new jersey to the public for the first time. While the team is still wearing their old black, blue, and white colors at the Tour de Romandie, Chris Froome and his teammates will be sporting a black and red jersey here. However, the joy of the new owners, riders, and staff isn't shared by everyone. Cycling fans fear that Ineos's involvement will lead to even greater dominance of the British team. Furthermore, many environmentalists are criticizing the corporation itself. Its entry into cycling is seen as "greenwashing ," as Ineos operates the highly controversial fracking industry in parts of Great Britain . Consequently, numerous protests took place at today's Tour de Yorkshire opening stage.
Our new @TeamINEOS look, debuting at the Tour de Yorkshire pic.twitter.com/bvSdCYduKH
— Team INEOS (@TeamINEOS) May 1, 2019
Tour de Yorkshire 2019: Four flat stages
This year's Tour de Yorkshire covers a total distance of 621,5 kilometers. Tomorrow, the peloton will travel from Barnsley to Bedale, and on Saturday from Bridlington to Scarborough. The race concludes on Sunday with the stage from Halifax to Leeds. With sufficient effort from the sprinters' teams, several mass sprints are expected. However, in recent years, sprinters have rarely managed to secure victories. Organized by the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), this UCI Category 2.1 race was first held in 2015. The tour through the county of Yorkshire in Great Britain was won that year by Lars Petter Nordhaug. In subsequent years, Thomas Voeckler, Serge Pauwels, and Greg Van Avermaet were victorious.
How many times breakaway have been caught in last few meters? Didn't happen today. Jesper Asselman wins Stage 1 #TDY pic.twitter.com/tTnJ9m5iZN
— ammattipyöräily (@ammattipyoraily) May 2, 2019