TDF 2011 – Stage 1

And there off and running – TDF 2011 is away! last nights stage  was filled with nervous riders, plenty of crashes and a surprise leader board at the end of the day.

Pre stage favourites included Thor Hushovd and Mark Cavendish. Phillipe Gilbert and Fabian Cancellara were always in with a chance but the backers were favouring the sprinters!

A 3 man breakaway started proceedings from the drop of the flag and lasted until around 20km to go. The race was plagued with a series of crashes and nervous mistakes marked by a major crash with around 8km to go. A spectator on the side of the road took her chance at 15 minutes of fame and was cleaned up by an Astana rider (hopefully Vinokourov) who proceeded to bring down half the peleton and split the field. From then to the finish line it was full gas for both the new lead group and the chase group.

The lead group had a number of quality riders including Cadel Evans, Chris Horner, Geraint Thomas and Thor Hushovd so the pace was on. Behind them Contador was stuck in no mans land with a group of unorganized panicking cyclists losing time on the lead group. With just over 3.0km left another crash saw Andy Schleck and Brad Wiggins and most of the other GC contenders join the Contador group and finish 1:20 down on the leaders. (those involved in the last crash were given the same time as the lead bunch)

Up front the race was not as well designed for the sprinters as it was made out to be. With a solid climb nearly 2km in length and heading up around the 240m mark to the finish line the likes of Cavendish and Petacchi had no chance of sticking it to the stronger riders in the field.

Fabian Cancellara had the first swipe jumping of the front in a spirited attack with around 1km to go however Spartacus’s legs gave out on him seconds later leaving Phillipe Gilbert on his wheel with no where to go but on to the line. A little earlier than he would have liked but Gilbert jumped and never looked like being caught.

The exciting news for the Aussie fans – Cadel Evans finished 2nd taking 1:20 out of Contador and Sam Sanchez. Unfortunatley due to the last crash being with in 3km of the finish Schleck and Wiggins are only 6 seconds down on Cadel – Go Cuddles!

STAGE RESULTS