Victory for Alaphilippe, fall with Tony Martin

JEveryone knew it would happen on the toxic final climb. Everyone knew Julian Alaphilippe would get out of the saddle and attack. But nobody could stop him on his inimitable start almost two kilometers from the finish line. The design of the Breton first stage of the tour was like a tailor-made offer for the lightweight French cyclist – and he happily accepted it.

One of Alaphilippe’s typical energetic performances brought the 108th edition on Saturday an atmospheric amuse gueule with a Frenchman in the leader’s yellow jersey. Instead of dueling with Alaphilippe in the race final, as expected, the young stars Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel could only look after their opponent in the world championship jersey, who also benefited from the excellent work of his team Deceunink-Qucikstep.

“I tried to shake off some of the drivers early on the final climb. Everyone expected my attack. When the gap then opened, I put everything in to widen it, ”said the winner of the day, who was wearing the yellow jersey for the 18th time in his career. “That is very special and I am very proud.” As in previous years, the Alaphilippe, which is extremely popular due to its aggressive driving style, seems to shape this edition of the tour.

Wound also in Alaphilippe

Behind Alaphilippe, who recently became a father for the first time, the Australian Michael Matthews (who slipped into the green jersey) and the Slovenian top favorite Primoz Roglic crossed the finish line. The yellow frenzy of world champion Alaphilippe after 198 kilometers between Brest and Landerneau could not hide the fact that chaos prevailed on the route, triggered by two heavy pile-ups. The tour demanded a considerable toll in blood from its racing drivers on the very first day. Even the winner Alaphilippe did not come through unscathed, as a wound on his right leg showed.