Cycling: Mike Teunissen (Jumbo – Visma) won the start of the Tour de France in Brussels. In the mass sprint, the Dutchman was able to prevail over Peter Sagan (Bora – hansgrohe) and thus conquer the yellow jersey. His actual captain, Dylan Groenewegen (Jumbo – Visma), fell in a mass fall shortly before the finish.
Greg Van Avermaet in mountain jersey
At 12:00 today the 176 riders started the 106th Tour de France in Brussels. Even before the start and during the neutralized zone, the numerous fans who had come celebrated their hero Eddy Merckx. The now 74-year-old, five-time winner of the Tour of France, accompanied the opening stage alongside tour director Christian Prudhomme in the organisation's red car. After loud “Eddy, Eddy” calls, the starting flag was finally waved and the first attacks launched. Somewhat surprisingly, the first escape attempt was immediately successful. greg van avermaet (CCC), Xandro Meurisse (Wanty – Groupe Gobert), Mads Würtz Schmidt (Katusha – Alpecin) and Natnael Berhane (Cofidis) were able to quickly gain a lead of more than three minutes and accordingly decide the first two mountain classifications among themselves. There, the white jersey with the red dots was secured by Greg van Avermaet. He won the sprint up the Geraardsbergen wall ahead of his compatriot Xandro Meurisse, who was ahead on the Bosberg.
| 4 outliers | Driver | Nation | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| greg van avermaet | Belgium | CCC | |
| Xandro Meurisse | Belgium | Wanty - Groupe Gobert | |
| Mads Würtz Schmidt | Denmark | Katusha-Alpecin | |
| Natnael Berhane | Eritrea | Cofidis |
Bora – hansgrohe with a coup in the sprint classification
After the successful operation Bergjerkot let himself greg van avermaet fall back into the main field. The Belgian achieved his goal. His three former companions did not give up the stage win yet. But as expected, the teams Jumbo - Visma, Lotto - Soudal and Deceuninck - Quick-Step tried to catch up in the main field. However, when it came to the cobblestone section Secteur de Thiméon, the German team Bora – hansgrohe took the lead. With full throttle, the breakaways were caught in no time and the field was divided, because only seven kilometers after the pavé sector was the first sprint classification of the Tour de France 2019. This secured itself Peter Sagan (Bora – hansgrohe) before Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain – Merida) and Greg van Avermaet. A few distanced sprinters and class riders were able to catch up again when the pace dropped, including them Elia Viviani (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) and the UAE duo alexander kristoff and Daniel Martin.
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Teunissen wins mass sprint and conquers yellow
60 kilometers before the finish tried Stephane Rossetto (Cofidis) as soloist. But there was nothing more than a little advertising for the French consumer bank. Although he was able to stay ahead for a long time, the sprinter teams caught him in time. Around 20 kilometers before the finish, the first crash of this year's Tour de France occurred. It was also affected Jakob Fuglsang (Astana), who was then driven back into the field by his teammates, but was clearly in pain. The sprinter teams could not take this into account. But even at the 1.500 meter mark, there was another mass fall. Only a few drivers were able to take part in the final sprint. Peter Sagan looked like the certain winner for a long time, than suddenly Mike Teunissen (Jumbo – Visma) shot wide and won by a few centimetres. The Dutchman got the okay from the team management because he was the top favourite Dylan Groenewegen (Jumbo – Visma) was involved in the crash. He now exchanges his yellow jersey from Jumbo - Visma for the yellow jersey from the Tour de France. Peter Sagan will start in the green jersey tomorrow.
Tomorrow: Team Time Trial in Brussels
Tomorrow, things will get serious for the classification riders for the first time at the Tour de France. Starting and finishing in Brussels, the team time trial covers a distance of 27,6 kilometers and will be a real endurance test for the teams. The French hopes in particular could therefore already be dampened. Thibaut Pinot (Groupama – FDJ) and Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) are not considered to be particularly strong time trialists themselves and their teams are not expected to set any best times either. On the other hand, the men from Team Ineos are considered to be co-favourites. Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal could already be a few seconds ahead of their competitors. Germany's hope Emanuel Buchman, hopes with the Raublinger racing team Bora - hansgrohe for an equally strong performance.
Mike Teunissen tager sensational the gule trøje foran Sagan på 1st stage! #tourdefrance2019 #tourdk pic.twitter.com/w7gEFzLWCs
— Eurosport (@Eurosportdk) July 6, 2019