He Francia Tour It started in Lille With a day as nervous as historical, full of symbolisms, speed and drama. The 184.9 kilometers That they formed this first stage, with the beginning and end in the capital of the north, were a wink to the tradition of French cycling, but also a declaration of intentions of what promises to be an electrical edition from the first pedal. The fans, the falls, the cuts and the attacks were the bread of each kilometer, in a day that reached an average of 46 km/h despite having site and multiple shocks.
The escape of the day was formed quickly, with five brave: Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis), Mattéo Vercher (Totalenergies), Bruno Armirail (Decathlon-Ag2r), Mathis Le Berre (Arkéa-B & B) y Jonas Rutsch (Intermarché-Wanty). Thomas, Olympic gold on buse and born in the south but with “the north in the heart”, became an absolute protagonist: the mountain points took place in Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, Mont Cassel y Mont Noir, and will wear the first red polkary jersey of the tour. His effort, however, was not exempt from danger: he fell on the top of Cassel dragging Vercher and was absorbed shortly after by a squad in full boiling.
The race was a real trap for sprinters. The teams Visma, UAE, Ineos and Soldier They activated the fans as the side wind began to blow hard. Chaos seized the squad at the exit of Cassel, where important names such as Simon Yates, Lenny Martinez, Felix Gall or the very Julian Alaphilippe They were cut or critical moments passed by different problems. Luke Plapp Y Bissegger, For their part, they suffered mechanical problems and falls, while Filippo Ganna definitely abandoned after kissing the asphalt at kilometer 52. Another victim was Geraint Thomasthat crossed Black Mont sore.
In race head, Jonas Vingegaard He surprised to crown Mont Noir in the first place, in a gesture that showed that this tour faced it with full ambition despite the usual tactical calm of the Danish. It was the first time he led a rise on the tour, even if it was just a fourth level. The gesture served to heat engines for their duels with Pogacar, Evenepoel and company.
Thomas has lost control of the bike and Vercher has eaten it when he has gone to the ground after sprinting both
First consequences
An intense battle for intermediate points was also fought: Jonathan Milan It was the fastest in La Motte-au-Bois, Por Delante de Coquard, Girmay y Philipsen. The latter, one of the greatest favorites to the stage triumph, arrived with everything prepared for a sprint that promised strong emotions … but was still far from resolving.
With the squad grouped again in the absence of 25 kilometers and the average speed in full boiling, a propitious scenario was opened so that the sprinters teams begin their particular relay chess. Lidl-Trek, Alpecin-Deceuninck, Soudal-Quick Step y Jayco-AlUla They began to place their trains to play not only the stage, but also the first yellow jersey of this tour.
The final stage stretch was as chaotic as exciting. A new fan, caused by the thrust of VISMA-LEASE TO Bike at 17 kilometers In the end, he selected the squad and left only 41 runners in the head. There resisted key names as Mas or Girmay, while Evenepoel, Roglic, Carlos Rodriguez, They were trapped in a second group without margin for the comeback. With the collaboration of UAE and the thrust of Tim Wellens, the frontal cut kept his rent despite the desperate attempts of reorganization from behind. A fall in the protected section, in the absence of five kilometers, put in problems O'Connor and Van den Berg.
And in that context, with the leather flower and the partial victory at stake, the figure of Jasper Philipsen. The Belgian of Alpecin-Deceuninck once again demonstrated why it is the most reliable sprinter in the world by imposing himself with authority in the arrival of Lille. Beat a Biniam Girmay Ya Søren Wærenskjold In a powerful and fissure sprint that also gives it the first yellow jersey of this edition and the tenth win in the tour for its record. His team worked with millimeter precision, with Van der Poel placing it perfectly, subjecting a One x who tried to dynamit the volat. Behind, the group of Evenepoel, Roglic and Carlos Rodríguez CHe ruzó the goal with 39 seconds lost. First stage and there are already notable differences.
Classification of the first stage of the Tour
1. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin) – 3H.53: 11 “
2. Biniam Girmay (Intercarse) – MT
3. Søren Wærenskjold (Uno -X) – MT
4. Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) – m.t.
5. Matteo Trentin (Tudor) – Mt
12. Iván García Cortina (Movistar) – Mt
31. Enric Mas (Movistar) – MT
67. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal) – A 39
69. Carlos Rodríguez (INEOS) – MT
79. Primoz Roglic (Red Bull) – m.t.
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF THE TOUR
1. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin) – 3H.53: 11 “
2. Biniam Girmay (intermarriage) – a 4 “.
3. Søren Wærenskjold (Uno -X) – A 6 “
4. Anthony Turgis (TotalEnergies) – a 10″.
5. Matteo Trentin (Tudor) – Mt
12. Iván García Cortina (Movistar) – Mt
31. Enric Mas (Movistar) – MT
67. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal) – A 49 “
69. Carlos Rodríguez (INEOS) – MT
79. Primoz Roglic (Red Bull) – m.t.
