2014 Tour De France stage 1: Leeds › Harrogate (190.5km)

[kingjr]

Shame it had to end like this, so close to a first stage without crashes. Kittel delivers in fine fashion though. Greipel being Greipel again, a finish tailormade for him and when it matters he's gone. And nice try by Cancellara of course!

Has anyone been brought down except for Cav and Gerrans?

 

[JRanton]

Mick Rogers did great there for Contador. It means Tinkoff have their car in a good position for tomorrow's stage.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

 

[No_Balls]

Froome already owning in the sprints.

Contador might as well just pull out from the race.

Froomes insecurity and lack of self belief this early is noted. But, to be honest, it didn't look good during the stage for Team Michelle.

 

[orangerider]

Or maybe just had the good luck to be way to the left side of the road when the crash happened and did have to slow down?

They weren't soft pedaling after the crash.

 

[Hayabusa]

I don't think Gerrans should of been there, that lean from Cav was pure instinct.

I don't think you can really blame Gerrans for trying to win the stage, hopefully he's okay as tomorrows stage does suit him.

 

[hrotha]

Dont think so. Cav was the one pushing, but i dont believe a "true" sprinter would have crashes in Gerrans position.

Wait, what? Cav does the pushing but it's Gerro's fault for not being one of the best bike-handlers in the world?

 

[T-Nielsen]

I don't think Gerrans should of been there, that lean from Cav was pure instinct.

So now you decide who is allowed to sprint?

 

[hughmoore]

I don't think Gerrans should of been there, that lean from Cav was pure instinct.

Yeah, Gerrans should have realised once he sprinted past Cav, he would take him out!

 

[gthx_gthx_]

Shame it had to end like this, so close to a first stage without crashes. Kittel delivers in fine fashion though. Greipel being Greipel again, a finish tailormade for him and when it matters he's gone. And nice try by Cancellara of course!

Has anyone been brought down except for Cav and Gerrans?

Julien Simon , or a confidis guy at least.

 

[roosters76]

I absolutly can't stand Cavendish, but I wish injuries on no one.
It's his own fault, so I don't feel sorry for him.

Same here, and we don't get see the proper dissection of sprint because his crash deemed more important.

If Sagan had a lead out team or at least one teammate, would have been more interesting, he started too early be having no choice. With 600m in the open air, no chance against Kittel even though sprinting uphill.

 

[VanBsr]

194. USA TALANSKY Andrew 91 GARMIN - SHARP 04h 48' 22'' + 04' 15''

what's happened to him?

 

[MatParker117]

Gutted for Cav.

 

[JackRabbitSlims]

Was really hoping to see that sprint go down without the crash, kittel v cavendish v griepel v sagan and with everyone else, that was nasty.

You all seem super excited and your expectations of Day 1 of TDF 2014 are perhaps are little high.

So what if the tour starts in GB....have some patience and check out the entire Tour Route, there are some exciting stages to come.
I'm sure you'll be impressed soon.

 

[deValtos]

Shame it had to end like this, so close to a first stage without crashes. Kittel delivers in fine fashion though. Greipel being Greipel again, a finish tailormade for him and when it matters he's gone. And nice try by Cancellara of course!

Has anyone been brought down except for Cav and Gerrans?

A cofidis rider definitely went down too. Greipel got held up by the crash he was just behind Cav.

 

[woodburn]

Talansky being shown in last place. Something happen to him?

 

[Rollthedice]

Sagan, so close but of course Kittel is a monster.

 

[Microtom]

I'm glad Cavendish is out and in pain. Not the first time I see him pulling that ****.

 

[Afrank]

194. USA TALANSKY Andrew 91 GARMIN - SHARP 04h 48' 22'' + 04' 15''

what's happened to him?

Caught behind the crash maybe and crossed the line 4 minutes back? Wait and see if they correct the timing maybe.

 

[sultanofhyd]

Probably just a bike change for Talansky

 

[jsem94]

Sucks for Cav, but it's typical too. He could have won and been in yellow on home ground. But this is cycling, crashes happen.

 

[BeagRigh]

So now you decide who is allowed to sprint?

+1

Gerrans has as much right as anyone to be there. Presumable he was trying to place higher that Sagan, as there is a decent chance they will fight for yellow tomorrow...

 

[Vino's Mum]

On that showing, Kittel can take five or six stages, no problem.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I don't think Gerrans should of been there, that lean from Cav was pure instinct.

It was a sort of rolling run-in rather than pure flat, so some of the slightly punchy guys had a chance - hence the likes of Gerrans being up there, and Navardauskas sprinting with Sagan and Kittel. The lean being pure instinct seems like a bit of a justification, I think Cavendish was to blame for the crash. However, this wasn't like the Tour de Suisse wrecking ball incident or a Roberto Ferrari needless swing, it was a racing incident for which Cavendish must shoulder the majority of the blame.

Watching the replay again, how the hell did Coquard manage to get out of there alive?

Coquard did a great job, like Freire and Flecha in the infamous Tour de Suisse crash.

I can't stand Giant-Shimano, but at least with a hat on Marcel Kittel is far less dislikable than when you can see his hair.

 

[Arnout]

Caught behind the crash maybe and crossed the line 4 minutes back? Wait and see if they correct the timing maybe.

Could also be a teammate of course, who changed bikes with him. Dutch commentators mentioned that Langeveld was in the back at some point.