Marcel Kittel took the first stage of this year’s Tour de France in Britain early today as home favourite Mark Cavendish crashed in the last sprint.
Giant-Shimano’s Kittel will wear the race leader’s yellow jersey in the second stage after triumphing in the 190.5km run from Leeds to Harrogate.
The Tour de France cycling tournament for 2014 began in Britain last night, after Prince William, his wife Catherine and Prince Harry took part in a royal opening ceremony in the English city of Leeds.
The 198 competitors in the 101st Tour faced a gruelling three-week ride through four countries before ending the world’s greatest cycling race in Paris on July 27.
British newspapers revelled in the Tour starting in Yorkshire, saying it reflected Britain’s emergence as a cycling nation and could restore some English sporting pride.
Froome and Cavendish, who has been hotly tipped to win the opening stage in Harrogate, the town where his mother was born, led the peloton through the streets of Leeds on parade between the fictitious start and the opening ceremony at Harewood House.
The actual race start took place 3km further along the road, after which there was an immediate attack.
The first stage was taking the pack on a rolling loop along the bucolic English countryside from Leeds to Harrogate – a layout that could be tailor-made for a sprinter to win.
In all, the riders will cover 3664km of roads in England, France, Belgium and Spain. – AFP
View the results here.
