Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) achieved one of his three big goals for the 2016 season when he rode to a dominant stage win on the first stage of the Tour de France, taking his first ever yellow jersey in his third attempt. Having jumped onto Peter Sagan’s (Tinkoff) wheel in the finale, he easily came around the world champion and held off Marcel Kittel (Etixx-QuickStep) to win the crash-marred bunch sprint with a big margin. Kittel had to settle for second while Sagan narrowly kept André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) off the podium.

 

We have gathered several reactions.

 

Mark Cavendish: Since 2008, people have said that it’s been the end for me

The opening stage of the 103rd Tour de France came down to a bunch sprint in Utah Beach and Mark Cavendish gave Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka an incredible stage victory and also secured his, and the African Team's, first ever yellow jersey of the Tour de France.

Starting in Mont-Saint-Michel, Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka had a clear plan of delivering Cavendish to the sprint finale with the hope of taking the stage victory and the yellow jersey. The 188km stage to Utah Beach suited the sprinters perfectly and so the 5 rider breakaway that did go clear early on, had zero chance of making it to the finish first.

Etixx-Quickstep and Lotto-Soudal did the lion's share of the pace making from the peloton while Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka rode near the front, out of trouble, during a nervy stage which saw a number of crashes and splits in the peloton caused by crosswinds. With 5km to go, the race was all together and the African Team started to put our stage plan into action.

Moving up the left side of the peloton, Bernhard Eisel led Reinardt Janse van Rensburg, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Mark Renshaw and Mark Cavendish to the head of the bunch. The African Team was shoulder to shoulder with the Belgian Etixx squad, as they had the stage favourite, Marcel Kittel, at the rear of their train.

After two powerful turns by Janse van Rensburg and Boasson Hagen respectively, the African Team edged ahead as Renshaw led under the 1 kilometer to go sign. Cavendish waited in the wheel of Sagan who had to start sprinting early, before our Manxman burst out of his slipstream with 200m to go, to take a historical victory.

“This is a very special win,” he said. “It is the first time I have had the honour of wearing the yellow jersey. What a special moment to do it, with such special people. Three of my last guys, Edvald, Mark and Bernie were guys that have been with me my whole career and to have Reinardt Janse van Rensburg pulling full on for me in the final, it was super emotional for me.

 

”In this team, we race for more than just our sponsors, we race to raise the profile of the Qhubeka charity and to put 5000 kids on bicycles. There is no better way to do that than to wear the most iconic symbol in cycling and that's the yellow jersey. I am very, very happy.

"It’s phenomenal. It was my third opportunity, and my first without bad luck. I don’t know what to say. We wanted this. The yellow jersey is iconic. It's good to get recognition for the sponsors and for the Qhubeka charity. I do this for my team and the continent of Africa, to put 5,000 kids on bikes.

 

"Regardless of who’s there, the Tour de France is the Tour de France. To win a stage is an incredible honour that I’ve never had before. It’s a special emotion.

 

"I’m so happy. I really wanted to win here today. The lads were incredble. Edvald did the most incredible turn at the end. He rode out of his skin today. I’m so happy to do this for Dimension Data today. There’s no better way to highest the Qhubeka charity.

 

"It's quite emotional. This is the only jersey in cycling I’ve not worn. I’ve had all three points jerseys, the worlds jerseys and the leaders jerseys in the Giro and the Vuelta and now this. I just wanted to win the stage and to wear this jersey is an honour.

 

"I’ve built my whole career on this race.

 

“It was a big goal for Dimension Data to win a stage at the Tour de France. To add the yellow jersey is a reward for our sponsors and for the Qhubeka charity. I did it for my team, for the ‘kids on bicycle' campaign to allow 5000 children to get a bike

 

“It's gonna be a special day tomorrow to ride a stage in yellow. It's the most iconic symbol in cycling. There was no better place to achieve this than Utah Beach where soldiers died for our freedom in the western world. When I was young I wanted to be involved with the Armed Forces in the UK. I've enjoyed the ceremony we've had after the stage to pay a tribute to those who died at war. It's my way to also thank my friends from the Armed Forces.

 

”Every Tour de France stage victory is a life changing moment. My 27 wins are all different. They're all in my memory: the towns, the teams I rode for, the circumstances.

 

“We thought that it was going to be a full on tailwind but it changed towards the end. That threw me a little bit. Mark and Edvald worked hard but I didn’t want to go then. I was able to follow and Sagan went first. I followed and then saw Kittel come on the left. Sagan left a gap on the right and I had to take it. I knew that when Kittel reached his terminal velocity I still had something left.I could go at the maximum speed. I carried on to the line and nobody passed me.

 

“There are a few guys who fucking hate me in the peloton. This is my tenth tour de France from the beginning and I’ve had the pressure to win. I don’t know any different. From 2008 it’s been the end of me, that’s how it is and it’s something to talk about. These are the days that I’ll look back and remember. I’ve made some incredible friends.

 

“Every Tour de France stage is a life changing moment. It’s the first time I’ve had the honour of wearing the most iconic jersey in cycling, the yellow jersey and I’m incredibly proud do to that. For a day, at least.”

 

Winning here at Utah Beach is special even if every win in the Tour de France is special. It is a moment that changes a life and today I touch the symbol that best reflects the cycling world, the yellow jersey. I could have got it earlier without a crash one year or a flat tire at another time.

 

It does not matter to me what people say. My job is to win races for Dimension Data. I won a bunch sprint and if I had had the feeling of not being able to do that, I would not have come.

 

”We'll see if the track has built my stamina. The track is good for strength but I trained especially for the Tour. Today I was with three riders who have played an important role in my career, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Mark Renshaw and Bernhard Eisel and also Reinardt Janse van Rensburg. They rode the skin out of me.

 

On paper, tomorrow is a stage for Boasson Hagen but I will respect the yellow jersey. We looked at that stage yesterday, we know it can be windy. I knew that Edvald crashed today. I hope he is good and that he will be able to fight tomorrow.

 

"I think it’s fantastic for him,” Stephen Cummings told Eurosport. “He deserves it. He’s a great rider. I’m sure he’ll be delighted. He said coming in he wasn’t sure how he’d be after the track preparation, but I’m sure he’ s delighted now. His trusted guys did their jobs, like Eisel, Renshaw and Boasson Hagen. They did a great job, that unit’s been together so long and they’re still working well."

 

"I cannot believe that Mark Cavendish has won,” Serge Pauweld told Sporza. “Everyone spoke of Kittel and Greipel and that was perhaps justified. But Cavendish is a tremendous champion. I think this is his 27th victory in the Tour de France. He is just incredible, especially with the combination that he wants to do this year as he also wants to do the track. He is a not a normal rider.

 

This year he did no major races like Switzerland or the Dauphiné but rode in Slovenia. We had to wait and see what it was going to give, but he does it yet again.

 

“This first stage was nervous and we had to try to stay out of danger. Luckily it was not extremely difficult and there were only echelons once. The last 25km were relatively quiet. Whether we will defend the yellow jersey? We have already checked the finish with the team and that's actually something for Edvald (Boasson Hagen, ed.). But perhaps we will keep the yellow in the squad.”

 

Team principal Douglas Ryder added:
 

“A Tour de France win, our first stage this year, our first yellow jersey, our first year in the World Tour with a new sponsor, this is just unbelievable for this team. The team has an x-factor because it's got everything going for it at the moment. It has a social cause that everybody really cares about and that the riders believe in.

 

“For all the riders to work like they did today, to commit to one objective and one goal and then to pull it off, it is sensational. To wear our first yellow jersey in our second Tour de France and win the first stage, after an incredible start to the season where we had a hugely successful Dauphine, this is an amazing moment for this team.

 

“It is amazing for our new partners and for that group came, Bernie, Renshaw and Cavendish, it is incredible how they have integrated with our African riders to make this a special moment for this team and for African cycling.”

 

Marcel Kittel: The sprint was somewhat of a roulette, Cavendish was most lucky

Etixx – Quick-Step brought its strong engines to the fore and they reeled in the breakaway inside the final five kilometers. Tour de Suisse points classification winner Maximiliano Richeze and Fabio Sabatini helped Marcel Kittel make his way to the front, leaving the German in a good position with 500 meters remaining.

 

Unfortunately, a crash occurred in the finishing straight changed everything and Kittel had to open his sprint early, in the wind, responding to an acceleration of Peter Sagan (Tinkoff). The strong effort he put in saw Marcel Kittel conclude the Tour de France's curtain raiser behind Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data), but ahead of the world champion and André Greipel (Lotto-Soudal), in what was just his seventh day of racing in the past six weeks.

 

"It was a big fight in the last five kilometers. Everyone wanted to be there, even the GC guys fought hard to get at the front. My boys where very strong, did a great lead-out and kept me well-positioned. Because of the crazy finale, I had to start the sprint from left side and go really early; that made the difference today, because Mark started his sprint later. When you are in the wind and someone is coming from behind, there's no chance to keep up. Of course I am disappointed, because it was my goal to win, but I must congratulate Mark; he's one of the fastest guys in the world and it's no shame to lose to him. On the up side, the team worked well, I'm satisfied with how my legs felt and we are sure more chances will come in the next days", Marcel Kittel said after the finish in Utah Beach, where a Tour de France ended for the first time in history.

 

“It’s not a surprise that Cav is so fast. He’s still one of the world’s fastest sprinters. I really respect him. He did a great sprint today. It’s no shame to lose against him.

 

“We should’ve finished first, not second. I had to start the sprint a bit too early but it’s not the end of the world and certainly not the end the chances for us at the Tour de France.

 

"The race circumstances forced us to the left side of the road. The sprint was somewhat of a ‘roulette’ and Mark Cavendish was most lucky. With 350 metres to go I was forced to start my sprint. Mark Cavendish had the luck that Peter Sagan launched his sprint which offered him the space to go too. Then he showed ‘punch’, that’s Mark Cavendish. I didn’t stand a chance against someone who started his sprint 100 metres later.

 

“I'm disappointed of course. The goal was to win, but we start with a second place. The team is present. There are twenty stages so there will be opportunities.

 

“This is almost the first race after a long training block. I'm pretty happy with the feelings today. But it's a grand tour, and when the days go on, it become a little harder to sprint each time. I hope to feel better.”

 

 “This was a unique opportunity that doesn’t come back. The whole year we were hoping for today but it wasn’t to be,” manager Patrick Lefevre told Sporza and Cyclingnews.

 

“We made a tactical mistake. Wilfried Peeters did the reconnaissance for us and told us about the village at seven kilometres. Wilfried told us to ride on the left when exiting the village. Petr Vakoc was in the lead but he kept riding on the left hand side. He was a bit too fast. Then the riders from Dimension came and in the middle of the road there were a few guys from Sky, so it wasn’t possible to move to the right.

 

“Tony Martin received a push. He’s a guy who’s made to ride in front, not for pushing in the sprint. Fabio Sabatini was on his limit while the sprint hadn’t even started. He lost the wheel and Marcel had to pass by through the wind. Cav is smaller and he was well protected against the wind.

 

“It was really fast. Vakoc was unable to go any faster with the gear he had. With a 53x13 gear you’re going at more than 70-80 km/h. Maybe a 54 chain ring was needed. Then again, the sprint was slightly uphill and Marcel didn’t want to change it. I don’t know what Cavendish used. I think we were beaten before the sprint, not in the sprint.

 

“Tomorrow is too hard for Marcel. We’ve got Julian Alaphilippe.”

 

Peter Sagan: It was a boring stage

The first stage of the 103rd Tour de France started today as it meant to go on, with a fast-paced opening race that brought with it a breakaway, a relentlessly-high pace and a hard-fought finish. At the end of the day UCI World Champion, Peter Sagan, pushed hard for the win, but was just beaten to the line, taking third.

 

Coming to the finish looking completely in control, Peter Sagan was surfing the other teams’ sprint trains as the finish line came closer. In the final few hundred metres it all came down to three men. Sagan was looking strong as he started his sprint, quickly building up some incredible speed. It wasn’t to be, however, as he was just beaten to the line, taking third. With plenty of sprint stages still to come, and even more with terrain that will suit the Slovakian rider, there is everything still to race for.

 

Sagan himself was pleased with his performance today.

 

"It was boring. There was a lot of stress in the group for nothing, and then in the final there were the usual guys at the front. Personally I’m very happy with my third place today and it’s a nice way to start the race. I didn’t have any problems in the finish and I can be happy with my result. I didn’t crash which is most important.”

Sports director Sean Yates saw that today’s finish didn’t play entirely to Sagan’s strengths, and was pleased to see him finish as strongly as he did.

 

“Peter had a couple of guys looking after him for as long as possible coming into the finish but we don’t have a lead out here so he was on his own. He led it out from quite far and did a good sprint – it was super fast with the tailwind, which isn’t really his thing, so he did a good sprint and it’s a good result.”

 

Tomorrow’s stage will take riders 183km around the Cotentin Peninsula. Starting in Saint-Lô a little way south of today’s finish. The three categorised climbs early in the day shouldn’t trouble riders too much, however the third category ascent to the race’s first uphill finish could challenge some of the fast men looking to contest the win. This could be a day for the all-rounders.

 

Looking ahead, Yates saw that stage 2 was more suited to Sagan’s strengths, and today’s ride showed he was bringing good form to the race.

 

“Tomorrow’s sprint is more suited to Peter and if he’s strong like today he should be right up there again. There’s no 3km rule, so we’ll have to be up there at the end to the line with Alberto.”

 

Alberto Contador worried about injuries after first Tour de France stage

With 77km to race however, Tinkoff’s leader, Alberto Contador suffered a crash. While the Spanish rider was able to rejoin the race showing little more than a torn jersey as a result of the fall, the team was ensuring Contador was checked to be certain there were no injuries, as Sport Director, Sean Yates, explained.

 

“Alberto’s crash was the only real stress point today, but got back OK quickly with the help of the team and we will now see how he recovers. He’s cut up on the upper shoulder and upper back, which will be uncomfortable, but he’s being checked out for any damage. It’s not a great way to start but other than that it wasn’t a bad day. We had no other incidents, and the other guys kept out of trouble. Hopefully no long lasting after effects – the body takes time to recover from a crash and this is energy that you need in the race.”

Contador gave some insight into the crash and how it happened.

 

“The race was very tense and everybody was fighting to position themselves in the front because of the wind. We were well positioned and very attentive but at a turn, a number of riders hit the central reservation. My front wheel got off and I also think that was the case with some others. We fell, hit the ground and skidded. In addition, another rider fell on me and hit my shoulder.

 

With the stage over, Contador was waiting to see how he felt when the adrenaline of the day’s racing had worn off, and wanted to concentrate on recovering.

 

“Now, it's a question of applying ice, doing a treatment with the Inbida machine and making sure the inflammation doesn't get worse. I have scratches all over the right part of my body, from the ankle up to the shoulder. What can we do, that's cycling. You might prepare intensely for months and then you crash.

 

“It's not the best way to start. I'm bruised all down along my right side from my ankle up but at least I don't have to go home. Hopefully I can get through the coming days and recover before the mountains.

 

“X-ray examination isn't needed. My shoulder hurts depending on my position but the Tour de France doesn't end here. I want to be optimistic, thinking of taking a maximum profit of the hours ahead of tomorrow's uphill finish to recover. There was a lot of tension because we were fighting for positions at the front to avoid the wind. We were paying attention but I saw a central reservation too late and the front wheel went to the side. It's bad luck, I'm screwed.”

 

The Spanish team leader was now looking to see how the next few days would pan out after his crash today, but was pleased it wasn’t worse.

 

“Fortunately, I don't have to go home and I will try to go through the following days in the best way possible so that I reach the mountains recovered. We will go to the hotel and assess the situation. When I place my shoulder in a certain position I am worried. As I said, it's important to apply ice and as the days pass I will feel more pain. However, the Tour doesn't finish here. We have to be optimistic and focus on the following hours in order to rest and recover as much as possible for tomorrow morning.

 

”This is clearly not the best way to start the Tour. This was to be a quiet day but ultimately, it was very complicated for me. This is a huge blow.”

 

"It’s very unfortunate of course. Bookwalter crashed in front of him and took Alberto out.The first signs are good, he said he was fine, but right now he’s with the doctor and we’ll have more news later," sports director Steven De Jogh said. "When you crash you get back on bike and don’t feel pain, but then after the stage you might be in trouble. But hopefully he’ll be fine."

 

Teammate Michael Valgren told Eurosport:

 

“There were crosswinds so we were alert and in the front. We were actually top five when it happened. There was a left-right corner and in the right-hand corner there was an island in the middle and I he didn't see that and just touched the rear brake a bit too much and the back slid out from under him.

 

“He was fine. Of course he lost some skin, but I think he’s pretty alright. We got a quick bike change and got him back pretty easily. But of course it was a big stress at the time.

 

“You don’t expect that in the front. In the back it happens, but Luckily I think he’s pretty alright. His elbow was a bit swollen up, but he should be fine.”

 

André Greipel left frustrated by late crash

André Greipel had to settle for fourth and was frustrated by the crash.

 

"With the old fences the feet are on the road and the people were leaning over,” he told Eurosport. “I think that ASO or the Tour de France needs to change something for us, for our safety, to put the new fences, which are not straight, and the people are farther away off the road. I think that there were really bad circumstances but the team did a good job. A disappointing finish."

 

"We did a good race," Lotto Soudal sports director Frederik Willems told Sporza."Everything went according to plan, but first sprint in the Tour is always chaotic, especially with the yellow jersey at stake.

 

"The preparation was good, but during the last kilometer it went wrong. The train was stuck. Greipel lost the wheel of the last man. Too bad.

 

"We had studied the final very well and were on the right side of the road. Etixx-QuickStep paid the price. With Greipel on Henderson’s wheel it would have been perfect but that did not work."

 

White jersey Edward Theuns shows his sprinting potential on the biggest scene

Edward Theuns, 25, sprinted to fifth place in the first stage of his first Tour de France Saturday and claimed the white jersey as the best young rider.

 

It was a frenzied sprint for the stage win with the coveted yellow jersey on the line, and Theuns proved he can mix it up with the world's fastest finishing a smidge behind four legendary names.

 

While Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) won the first round in the battle of sprinters – and the first leader's jersey of the 103rd Tour – Theuns celebrated his success, climbing onto the podium in his first Tour stage to don the white jersey.

 

"This feels a bit like a victory for me," gushed Theuns. "I was feeling good, and Fabian (Cancellara) and Jasper (Stuyven) helped me in the last 15 kilometers to stay at the front. I had to spend a little bit too much energy at the very end to get on the wheels of the real top sprinters, and that is maybe the power I missed at the end.

 

"I had to sprint a little to get on Kittel's wheel. With 400 meters to go maybe I was dreaming a little to win, but really I felt just holding the wheel was the maximum I could do. I am very happy with this! It is incredible."

 

Theuns has never considered himself a pure sprinter, but he is beginning to find his niche with Trek-Segafredo in his first season at the World Tour level and slowly understanding and growing into his strengths.

 

"I want to prophesize myself as a sprinter, and I think putting myself between these sprinters is for me a big step and maybe next time I can beat one of them," continued Theuns. "It was close, I think Greipel came over me in the end, but the rest were losing speed because it was a long sprint.

 

"It was hectic, and I had to come from far to get in the best position. The other guys have built a train just for this and then it is not easy to get in good position. That little bit going into the wind might have cost me some power in the end, but still it is very satisfying to be there."

 

With top speeds hitting over 70km/h in the dash for the line, Theuns explained he was prepared with a 55-tooth large chain ring (standard size on most bikes is 53). 

 

"Kim (Andersen, director) came to me last night and said it was not a bad plan to use a 55, and I totally agreed because I have used a 54 before, and today we all knew was going to be a really fast sprint."

 

Those 55 teeth came in handy in claiming the white jersey – and elevating Theuns' young heart to an astounding 207 beats per minute! 

 

"I will take it day by day and will try to interfere in the bunch sprints, but it is not a goal to defend the white jersey. I'm just glad I got my Day of Fame. It is fantastic to be on that podium.

 

“It's a bit incredible. One year ago [racing for Pro Continental outfit Topsport-Vlaanderen] I would have never thought I'd be at the Tour de France now. It was already a dream to get a start and for my first day at the Tour, I'm on the podium as best young rider with top riders. I've made huge efforts to stay in the wheels of the good sprinters. It was a bit hectic but I made it. I didn't have enough power to beat them but enough to follow them and I'm happy with my result.”

 

Great start for Cofidis plan B in Tour de France sprint

Christophe Laporte has taken over as Cofidis sprinter and finished 6th:.
 

"It was a nervous day, mentally and physically exhausting,” he said. “We knew how to be present in the final sprint. I was sixth and it's a very good result. I'm a bit disappointed not to take the white jersey but it bodes well for the future. It was enough to get confidence for the rest of the Tour de France. This sprint is not for me and there will be others that are more my liking because I am not really fond of sprints that are too fast. I prefer when it's harder, more selective. The finish on Cherbourg on Sunday is perhaps a little too hard but I'll try my luck.

 

Manager Yvon Sanquer said:
 

"Christophe Laporte managed his sprint. He is in the battle with the world's best sprinters. The little regret is that he missed out on the white jersey.  Edward Theuns was fifth and got it. The team has done well. There was a particularly good job from Cyril Lemoine and Geoffrey Soupe was present too. This is an encouraging start of the Tour de France. To be present in the first sprint with Christophe is a big satisfaction for the team: it confirms our confidence in him.”

 

Cofidis GC rider hits the deck in first Tour stage

GC rider Arnold Jeannesson crashed in the last kilometer: 
 

"There was a first crash which I avoided, so I thought i would get through,” he said. “I was in the top thirty, attentive. I did not take risks and kept a safe distance to the sprinters. Unfortunately some riders in front of me fought for position and a rider lost the balance and made a swerve. I wanted to pass the left but I touched the barriers and I crashed. I couldn’t avoid it. But okay, I have not broken anything and this is the most important.”

 

Bryan Coquard: Tomorrow’s stage is one for me

Bryan Coquard finished 8th.

 

"I was with Adrien (Petit) and Angelo (Tulik) and there was a crash (with Tulik 3 km from the finish),” he told L’Equipe. “I did not panic, this is the difference from previous years. I soon found Yoyo (Yohan Gene) and Sylvain (Chavanel) and Yohan positioned me well. In the finale, when I saw where I was, I thought it was possible. I took Greipel's wheel but the wave coming from the left closed the door on us. We lost a bit of speed and when the sprint started, we were changing gears. We took the wrong wave. There will be other sprints but we were there. Cavendish was on my list. When you see the podium, it's a great podium.

 

”We have checked tomorrow’s climb in Cherbourg. Of course, it is a finish that I like. All sprinters will not survive. There will be Sagan, Matthews, but I'm not sure that a sprinter will win. It can be an attacker who goes one kilometer from the line.”

 

Alexander Kristoff: Maybe my bad luck saved me

The opening stage in the 103rd Tour de France brought an eighth place finish for Team KATUSHA’s Alexander Kristoff  in a chaotic mass sprint that saw teammate Michael Mørkøv hit the metal barriers on the roadside and send him off to the hospital after 188 km of racing.

 

”Jacopo [Guarnieri] kept me in good position the last 20 km until 2 km to go. Then Marco Haller and Michael Mørkøv came past and I was on the wheel of Michael. He was doing a very good lead out for me. I got squeezed toward the barriers and lost my lead out guys and had to brake. So I had to come to the front on my own and I managed to take the long corner on the left and get on the wheel of Kittel, but I had used all of my energy to get there so I didn’t have anything left for the sprint. It was quite hard. I didn’t know that Mørkøv had crashed – if I had been on his wheel I probably would have crashed also. So maybe in the end it was good luck that I had to brake and lose position. Everyone was losing their heads a bit at the end, so I hope perhaps the next sprints will be a little easier but I don’t expect that,” said 8th place finisher Alexander Kristoff.

 

No fractures for Michael Mørkøv in Tour de France crash

Team KATUSHA's Michael Mørkøv crashed in the last kilometer of stage one of the 2016 Tour de France, hitting the barriers after being hit by something. Mørkøv was brought to the X-ray and medical truck of ASO at Carentan where no fractures were revealed. The Danish rider suffers from a big (10x7x4 cm) haematoma in the right thigh and will try to start in stage 2.

 

Anthony Delaplace most aggressive rider in home stage

Anthony Delaplace was the most aggressive rider.

 

“I was a bit pissed off that I had missed the first move but when I eventually made the front group, I thought of going as far as I could,” he said. “It's a pleasure to receive the price of most aggressive rider. I didn't believe too much that I'd reach the finishing line before the peloton because the sprinters had a stage win and the yellow jersey up for grabs. It was very impressive when they caught us.

 

"I had a lot of fun. I would rather be in the break in Cherbourg (Sunday’s stage) but the finish will be nervous so it will be even less likely to stay away. I told myself that I would try to attack today to have no regret if I fail on Sunday. It is done. To be in the break is fine but we realize that this kind of stage is difficult for a break. I want to be fresh for the mountain stages. And the goal for Fortunéo -Vital Concept is not only to show the jersey. We're a team that is growing every year. We are also there to get a result and we will have to keep something in reserve for the mountains.”

 

"The red dossard is the small reward of the day. In my head I originally wanted the polka dot jersey. Bora got it. I do not return empty-handed. This trophy is a nice reward.

 

"We were 100 meters behind the two Bora riders. They were behind the car of the race director. I was in 20th position. The first 40 kilometers were very hard, we did not know if we would catch them. The legs were burning but I was not discouraged. It worked well. I then attacked again. We missed five kilometers in the final but I knew it would end in a sprint.”

 

Leigh Howard comes up short in battle for the mountains jersey, Enger misses out in sprint

Leigh Howard who was selected to ride the Tour at the last minute due to the illness of Dries Devenyns, proudly flew the colors of IAM Cycling at the front of the race. Having escaped with two other riders from the drop of the start flag, Howard stayed off the front for over 150 kilometers before being swept up again by the peloton.

 

“I wanted to go for the climber’s polka dot jersey first,” Leigh Howard explained before boarding the team bus.  “For the first opportunity, I did not arrive in time to follow the German rider, and then we were missing 5 kilometers before the second KOM.  When the five of us regrouped, we tried our best to ride for the stage, but the pack kept us on a tight leash.”

 

“I am still disappointed because I saw that this stage was one where I should play for the win,” exclaimed Sondre Holst Enger while he was cooling down after the first stage, which was won by Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data).  “At the finish I was positioned well for the finale.  Bad luck got in the way, though because three or four riders crashed right in front of me.  It was therefore impossible to participate in the final dash for victory.”

 

Rik Verbrugghe, sports manager of IAM Cycling, said:

 

“We played the stage both ways. This proved difficult for Leigh Howard to have a go to get the polka dot jersey because of both the riders from Bora-Argon 18. Then for victory, Sondre Holst Enger encountered some problems when riders crashed in front of him.  The stage was very nervous, and luckily we did not have any wounded riders in our ranks.”


 

John Degenkolb: The crash took me out of contention

Warren Barguil was the first to finish for Giant-Alpecin in 13th place closely followed by John Degenkolb in 15th place after a very fast finish on the opening stage of the Tour de France.

 

Tensions arose as the race turned onto the coastline in the last 50km, but the team was well positioned at the front of the bunch to avoid any crosswind splits.  All the riders managed to cross the finish line safely.

 

John Degenkolb said: “It was a very fast finale. We had a good position and we were all together. There was a big crash right next to us into the right fences and then we lost contact to the front of the bunch which cost us achieving a better result. Overall the focus was to find a good feeling on the bike and to start the Tour in a positive way. It was an exciting stage with a lot of spectators supporting the riders.

 

Coach Marc Reef said:

 

“It is good that we survived. I think we expected a very hectic stage with the crosswinds and the bunch being nervous. We had the goal with Warren to stay out of trouble and with John to get a result. With Warren, we succeeded, but with John we were held up by the crash in the finale which stop us getting a better outcome.

 

“For tomorrow we will focus on Warren and place him in a good position. With Tom and John we will see on the day what is possible.”

 

Dylan Groenewegen needed stunt work to stay on the bike

Dylan Groenewegen didn’t get the chance to sprint during the first stage of the Tour de France. The Dutch champion had a big scare when a rider in front of him crashed heavily, but he managed to stay on his bike. His chance to sprint, however, disappeared. Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data) won the stage to Utah Beach and took the yellow jersey.

 

“I’m glad that I was able to stay on my bike, but it took some stunt work,” Groenewegen said. “The Katusha rider in front of me hit a spectator and crashed hard. I touched him, but didn’t crash, fortunately.”

 

It happened just after Groenewegen lost some positions in front of the peloton.

 

“We did not have many men left, so it was hard to stay in front. We succeeded in our aim to take the first positions in the race, but it was too chaotic to stay there. It was a fun day, today, though. I enjoyed the chaos.”

 

Timo Roosen was one of the victims in the final part of the stage.

 

“I tried to stay with my team-mates, but slipped away in a turn,” Roosen said. “It was important to stay together, so you take some risks. It’s a shame that I crashed. You’re fighting for the best spot the whole day. Now, my knee is a little sore, but that won’t bother me too long.”

 

Groenewegen lacked Roosen because of his crash and Robert Wagner because he was not able to stay ahead.

 

“I lost Sep Vanmarcke and Maarten Wynants,” Wagner said. “If I would have been able to stay with them, we would have had a good chance. It’s very hard to prepare the sprint when it’s this chaotic. The overall riders are in front with their trains, as well. That’s a big difference with other races.”

 

“The stage turned out the way we expected,” Sports Director Merijn Zeeman said. “You have to get in the right position early and it’s a big fight to get there. We did a good job in that fight. It’s too bad that Timo crashed because we needed him in the final part of the race. We went to the front a little too early afterwards. It’s our plan to give Dylan a good position to sprint from and we didn’t succeed today. We didn’t know how Dylan was feeling after his intestinal problems earlier this week on the other hand. He feels well again, so that’s a good thing when you look at the upcoming week.”

 

The second stage of the Tour de France tomorrow ends with a third categorised climb.

 

“It’s going to be chaotic again,” Zeeman continued. “We’re riding by the coast for a big part of the race, so the wind is going to play its role as well. That’s always stressful. It’s probably going to be a finish for the overall riders and the specialists on this terrain. We want to take part in that fight and are going to bring Wilco Kelderman in position.”

 

"I'm going to try, I think," Kelderman told De Telegraaf. “Actually, my opportunities come from the fifth stage but at the end of the second stage it’s a bit uphill so I can try something.

 

"It was actually quite stressful. It was windy, it was nervous and everyone wanted so be in front. But I have not had any problems.

 

”Dylan is still young. He learns again. There are plenty of opportunities to come for him. He has a chance in every sprint.”

 

Geraint Thomas and Luke Rowe hit the deck on surprisingly easy day for Chris Froome

Chris Froome and Team Sky emerged without any major issues from an eventful opening stage at the 2016 Tour de France.

 

Froome lined up as defending champion and was protected and positioned by his teammates during the 188-kilometre opener.

 

A late crash on the narrow finishing straight in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont saw Froome forced to check up, while Geraint Thomas locked up and veered into the barriers in avoidance.

 

The Welshman brushed himself off to finish, while Froome crossed the line in 25th, with the three kilometre rule ensuring both men will likely escape without time loss.

 

The 2016 race kicked off on France's north-west coast, with a 198-strong peloton rolling out against the backdrop of Mont-Saint-Michel.

With the riders concerned about the threat of crosswinds the pace ebbed and flowed, but with 75km to go the race saw its first major action with Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) sliding out and crashing.

 

Luke Rowe, who had been up front monitoring the situation, was next on the scene and also went down. Both men were able to remount and rejoined the peloton along with Thomas, who had picked up a puncture.

 

A cut and bruised Contador received treatment while Etixx - Quick-Step and Lotto Soudal helped set the tempo up front, chasing down what was left of the day's five-man break.

 

Vasil Kiryienka then arrived to patrol the front, establishing the team a foothold at the head of affairs on the run-in along Utah Beach.

 

Sport Director Servais Knaven talked TeamSky.com through the events of the day: 

 

"We came through the stage fairly okay today, even though we had Luke and G both involved in crashes. They'll be a bit sore but it's nothing too serious and they'll both be good to go tomorrow.

 

"Froomey was in a good position in the final and didn't lose time so that's good. Talking with the guys it was less hectic than they expected, which was a pleasant surprise. Today was pretty straightforward but for sure it will pick up again in the next few flat stages.

 

"Tomorrow we'll see some gaps for sure, but I don't think the GC guys will lose time on each other. It's not a super hard finish compared to what we'll see in the race, but if you're not in a good position heading into the final kilometres then you can lose time. It's always a big fight."

"There was a crash in a corner just after a bit of a crosswind section, and there was a lot of stress because Contador and one of our boys came down in the group,” Thomas told Eurosport.

 

"I just came up to it fast and went on the left, tried to jump over the curb and clipped my back wheel and punctured. So I kind of had to wait for a wheel and stuff, but that was OK. Luckily Luke was alright. Contador seemed OK. He was pretty cut up, so I’m sure he’ll feel that for awhile.

 

"Then obviously there was a big crash at the end. I got caught up in that as well, so hopefully that’s all my luck out of the way now on the first stage."

 

Movistar keep Nairo Quintana safe on stressful day at the Tour

The Movistar Team got through all likely troubles into one of the stressful days leading up to the mountains where Nairo Quintana will chase for the #SueñoAmarillo. The 2016 Tour de France started off with a win for Mark Cavendish (DDD) in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, next to the Utah Beach where Europe started to get its freedom back in Normandy, after 188km full of nerves, some brief crosswinds in the least protected regions of the course and many crashes along the route.

 

An incident for Rowe (SKY) and Contador (TNK) with road furniture with 80km to go and a hard blow in the finishing straight for Morkov (KAT), which took the sprint into mayhem, were the main troubles in a bunch where Movistar Team always took the right moves. The work by Erviti, Oliveira, Jesús Herrada and Ion Izagirre was completely satisfactory, as it kept Nairo Quintana - 30th across the line - well protected. Alejandro Valverde also went through the day safely.

 

The race will not leave the Manche department during Sunday’s stage two, through the terrain will be a bit more challenging: after 183km from Saint-Lô, the squad’s headquarters for the week, the race will finish in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, following the climbs of Octeville (not rated) and La Glacerie (1900m at 6.5%) just before a last kilometer uphill, where both Quintana and Valverde will try to keep the front.

 

Winner Anacona said: 

 

"It was a long day, compared to previous TdF opening stages; also one with lots of stress, nerves and a pretty fast pace. The turns and different roads, combined with the competitivity of these first-week finishes caused some crashes, as we saw. Fortunately, we didn't suffer any consequences; it's good to have got our legs spinning at last, things should go better for us in what's to come. The race has just started, three long weeks are still ahead with tough rivals alongside us. We're well prepared and we will continue to work as we did today to keep Nairo well protected before the mountains."

 

Fabio Aru enjoys first Tour de France stage of his career

“My first stage at the Tour de France has been a great experience,” said a smiling Fabio Aru after the finish.

 

“As all my team mates said in the past days, it was a super fast and nervous first stage and I’m happy that everything went well and we all have crossed the finish line with the front group,” explained Aru.

 

Answering a question about Contador's crash, Aru said: “I didn’t see Alberto falling so I cannot say much about it. I’m sorry for his crash and I hope he will not have serious consequences.

 

“The start from a charming place like Mont-Saint-Michel was very emotional, then all the crowds at the side of the race route all along the 188 km were really impressive. I’m happy to be here.”

 

Stressful start for Richie Porte and Tejay van Garderen

Strong crosswinds and a crash involving Brent Bookwalter made for a hectic day in the saddle for BMC. Bookwalter resumed racing and was quickly back in the peloton.

 

A crash in the last 500 meters saw the peloton split in two, leaving few sprinters to battle for the win.

Tejay van Garderen and Greg Van Avermaet represented the United States of America and Belgium respectively in a post-race war commemorative ceremony on Utah Beach.

 

Richie Porte said:

 

“It was such a hectic, stressful day. I’m just happy to finish with no skin missing to be honest. I was right up there in sprint and was luckily just behind the crash in the final and managed to avoid it. It was one of those days that are so hard. It was quite stressful and hard to keep everyone together. Tomorrow is a special stage too so we’ll see what happens.”

 

Tejay van Garderen added:

 

“There was a lot of anticipation, a lot of nervous energy, and once you get the race going obviously it’s hectic and it’s a different kind of nervousness. But at least it’s the job that we know how to do and prepared for, so it’s good to get it started. Today went quite well and we stayed out of trouble. Unfortunately, we had Brent caught up in a crash but he’s a tough guy so I think he’ll pull up just fine. We have everyone fit and healthy and ready to go for tomorrow.

 

“It was definitely powerful to be involved in the post-race commemorative ceremony representing the United States. It puts a lot of what we are doing into perspective. It was a special moment being up there with different nationalities to commemorate the tragic history of this race.”

 

Greg Van Avermaet targets victory in stage 2

Greg Van Avermaet said:

 

“Like always it was a hectic first stage. There was a lot of wind so we had to be careful to not lose any time. We were always up there and everyone was close together so I think it was a good day for us. The sprint was also hectic so it was not a good idea to sprint with the guys, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow. It’s a good finish for me so hopefully we can be up there for a good finish. There are a few contenders for tomorrow’s stage. Sagan is up there, Matthews, Alaphilippe, so it will be a big fight.”

 

"I was honoured. This is a historical site. It's a tribute to those who fought for us," Van Avermaet told Cyclingnews

 

"It was a hectic stage but it turned out fine. I managed to stay out of trouble. I'd loved to have been closer in the sprint but there was a crash. It was dangerous. I was behind the crash, far enough behind it to avoid going down. There were a few crashes today. I saw Contador going down, too. Luckily it remained dry on the course. I try to put everything on tomorrow and hopefully I can fight for the victory in a stage that suits me more."

 

Brent Bookwalter hurts his hip in Tour de France crash

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Max Testa gave the following update on Brent Bookwalter follow his crash:

 

“Brent sustained multiple contusions involving the left side of the upper and lower body. The most worrisome at this point in time is the right hip where he landed with a high-energy impact. We will continue to evaluate Brent tonight in the hotel and decide the plan of care accordingly. All of the other injuries are limited to superficial abrasions to his shoulders and a right elbow laceration.”

 

Michael Matthews goes down in Tour de France opener

A heavy crash involving Michael Matthews in the finale of today’s first stage of the 2016 Tour de France disrupted what was otherwise a textbook performance fromORICA-BikeExchange.

 

Michael Morkov (Katusha) hit the barriers in the finishing straight as around thirty riders geared up to contest the sprint, taking with him Matthews and a few others. Fortunately Matthews escaped injury and was able to remount and finish the stage.

 

2016 Tour Down Under winner Simon Gerrans was the best finisher for ORICA-BikeExchange in 46th place with South African Daryl Impey alongside Gerrans in 48th.

 

Sport director Matt White praised the efforts of the team on a nervy opening stage.

 

“We thought that today was going to be fairly nervous and stressful in the bunch,” explained White. “So our main objective was to stay up near the front and out of trouble, a lot of the nerves were nullified due to the windy conditions and we were able to achieve our aim.

 

“The guys rode really well today and we held our positions nicely. Michael (Matthews) got caught up in the crash just before the sprint, which was unfortunate, but thankfully he is ok.

 

“The only real surprise today was that Sagan jumped and gained some time bonuses which makes trying to win the yellow jersey even harder, but we are certainly going to try.

 

“There are no easy days at the Tour de France but tomorrow is a stage that suits us with the finish being slightly uphill after a lumpy and quite technical parcours.”

 

Alexis Gougeard proud to make Tour de France debut

Alexis Gougeard helped to keep Romain Bardet safe.

 

"Initially, when the Marseillaise was played, I was next to Julian Alaphilippe and it was hard to realize that I was in the Tour de France,” he said. “Today, it is total happiness. I am at the Tour, it's a crazy thing.
 

“In the race, we had to be vigilant as there are people everywhere. In the pack, there’s a big fight and it's tense. That's why that there was a crash."

 

Jan Bakelants crashes in Tour de France opener

"I was well placed, but I could not avoid crashing," Jan Bakelants told Sporza. "That's a shame because I was really good and did not want to lose time. Now, well, it is what it is.

 

"I don’t need to worry a lot. The damage is not too bad, but it's always better not to crash.

 

"I fell on the same knee as in my crash just before Nationals. All the work we have done to recover is now for nothing."

 

Davide Cimolai: I don’t have the power for this kind of sprint

LAMPRE-MERIDA supproted Meintjes, Rui Costa and sprinter Cimolai who had received the task of battling in the final part of the race which was suitable for fast riders. However, the tailwind which allowed the riders to sprint at a speed higher than 80 km/h made the sprint more suitable for riders who are more powerful than Cimolai and who were supported by a lead-out train.

Also a crash made the sprint even more complicated and Cimolai had to give up his ambitions and focus his attention on the next stages. The crash did not involve any LAMPRE-MERIDA riders.
 

Cimolai was 61st.

Thanks to the good support received by the team, Meintjes and Rui Costa had a calm stage but Arashiro crashed with 27km to go. The team's physician Dr Guardascione stated that the Japanese rider suffered light abrasions on the right shoulder and on the fingers of the left hand, which will not compromise the continuation of the Tour.

"I tried hard to be in the battle for the sprint but I realized that it was a very, very fast sprint which was suitable for riders with more power and which can exploit the work of a lead-out train,” Cimolai explained. “My team mates were great in supporting me in getting to the front part of the bunch. Then I was aware that I should have managed to try to find a good position in the approach to the sprint but it was really difficult at this high speed and it became impossible after that the crash made the situation even more complicated.
 

”I feel the trust of the team and I'll try to obtain a good result in the next stages, maybe in the ones more suitable for my characteristics.”

 

Rui Costa: This year the goal is to win a stage

”The team decided and I agreed that we will opt for a different strategy,” Rui Costa wrote in his diary. “The goal is to fight for a stage win in this Tour de France and not focus on the GC. This is the plan for now.

 

”I guess I prefer to fight for a top-10 and it is not out of the question. There are also those who ask me to fight for the podium and it is not impossible, but very difficult, especially as this is the toughest race of the cycling world, tailored to climbers, with the nine best riders in each team. I can only promise that I will leave my skin on the road to achieve the goal of the team and make the Portuguese proud

 

”Believe me, I amfull of determination and will. I hope to have good luck and health so that I can finish this Tour de France with a good result.”

 

Paul Voss takes the mountains jersey, Sam Bennett hits the deck

Paul Voss saved the day for Bora-Argon 18 by winning the two category 4 climbs and polka dot jersey for the best climber.

 

Shortly after the official start, Paul Voss and Jan Bárta attacked and built the first breakaway of this year’s Tour de France. Just before the first KOM of the day, Voss decided to try and go on his own. After taking the first points, it was a 25 kilometre solo ride for him to also take the second mountain sprint of the day. Meanwhile another two riders joined Barta and his companion. Just after the second KOM vOSS waited for the other 4.

 

Voss will wear the KOM jersey on tomorrow’s second stage. This will be the first leader’Ss jersey in the Tour de France for BORA – ARGON 18.

 

For the final, the race tactics were clearly built around the team’s sprinter Sam Bennett. Therefore, Voss waited for the peloton to support Bennett with about 75k to go. Jan Bárta remained in the leading group to present the BORA – ARGON 18 colours. But his break was over with about 50k to go.

 

Sadly, the stage finish was not as positive as the beginning for the team. Bennett was involved in a crash with about 250m to go and hit the ground hard. He was able to cross the line on his bike, but was taken to hospital for further examination.

 

“At the moment we just know about the extensive abrasions on the shoulder. Further examinations have to be done now in the hospital,” said Jan-Niklas Droste from the medical team.

 

Fractures have been ruled out and Bennett will try to take the start tomorrow.

 

“At first I thought that it was a stupid idea to attack before the first climb and then go on a 25k solo, but when I realized that I could win the polka dot jersey I gave it everything. Now I´m so proud and so happy that I will wear this pretty jersey on the second stage of the Tour de France tomorrow,” said Voss

 

“It's a nice feeling. It's a good day for our team, except for Sam Bennett who crashed. I hope he'll be able to start tomorrow. Realistically, I never thought our breakaway could go to the end but we try to animate the stages and it was an opportunity for me to get the polka dot jersey. It was very hard to stay away for the second KOM price. It's better to start on a high than a low but I don't think I'll keep the jersey, maybe for another day or two. I'm not a pure climber.

 

"At first I thought it was a stupid idea, then I thought it was a good idea to keep going to make sure I get the second KOM as well, and didn't have to wait for the finish line to be in front of the guy who was on the same points as me. I went all in, it hurt a lot, and then I was done. My legs were hurting pretty bad after that. The goal was to get the jersey, and I got the jersey - so I'm happy.

Voss spent four days in the jersey of best climber in the Giro d'Italia in 2010.

 

"So I know how it feels, but the Tour de France is much bigger and it will be different. I look forward to wearing the polka dot jersey even if I'll probably lose it tomorrow. It is nice to have it for one day."

 

Preparation pays off for FDJ and Thibaut Pinot in Tour opener

Thibaut Pinot was surrounded by his teammates.

 

"We knew the course,” said FDJ sports director Yvon Madiot, “and we knew exactly where it was necessary to do the effort to bring Thibaut to the front. The team has done its job conscientiously and with William Bonnet in the role of road captain, I'm calm. His presence is reassuring for Thibaut.”

 

"With the wind, there was an acceleration 90 kilometers from the finish but the Contador crash calmed everyone down. The peloton slowed down and then I had the impression that everybody took it easy, nobody wanted to break the calm. Thibaut was a little nervous at times but it went well. "

 

"Tomorrow it may still be windy but we are ready. In the final, the climbs and descents ate for the puncheurs.”