Refresh
We have had a primary crash on the street at present, as Wilco Kelderman hits the deck. The TV cameras did not seize the incident, however he is simply been proven now rejoining the peloton, with some bandaging on his left elbow.
Izagirre launches a dash in direction of the highest of the summit, and takes most factors once more. Abrahamsen is on his wheel for second, and appears irritated on the Basque, nevertheless it’s laborious to inform why – he did not seem to do something unsuitable.
110KM TO GO
Pogačar is down a teammate, as Nils Politt is dropped. He has greater than sufficient safety to maintain him protected at present – actually, quickly we’ll be questioning if and when they may apply stress on the entrance of the peloton for a possible assault.
Extra sprinters going out the again now, together with Arnaud Demare and Jasper Philipsen. Philipsen might imagine it is job carried out for the day having earned these intermediate dash factors.
Mechanical for Dorian Godon, who’ll must chase again on on this climb.
Extra harm within the break, with Champoussin the newest to be dropped.
Steve Williams is making his means again into the peloton having fallen again with a mechanical.
Dylan Groenewegen is the newest sprinter to be dropped out of the peloton, on the present climb. He’ll be saving himself for stage three, more likely to be the primary bunch dash of the Tour.
Dujardin has been dropped from the lead group on this climb, having claimed most factors on the dash.
Three different riders additionally competed within the dash – Biniam Girmay, Bryan Coquard and Sam Bennett. It is particularly attention-grabbing to see Bennett give it a go, given his battle for kind lately – he clearly believes he shall be stronger this Tour.
Philipsen and Pedersen have been the highest two from final yr’s factors classification, and look set to do battle as soon as once more this yr.
Lidl-Trek lead out the peloton for the remaining factors obtainable within the intermediate dash, for Mads Pedersen. Pedersen was edged to the road by defending Philipsen, although.
Having carried out that dash, the break are again climbing once more, this time the class three Cote de Carnaio (10.1km at 4.7%).
Abrahamsen and Dujardin each sprinted for it, with the latter popping out on prime. The true curiosity will are available in a couple of minutes, after we see which sprinters have an interest within the factors classification.
120KM TO GO
Cavendish and his Astana teammates attain the highest of the climb, 5 minutes after the peloton. 2 climbs down, 5 to go.
There’s now about 4-30 between the peloton and Cavendish. The hole continues to be rising, however not exponentially, so he isn’t capitulating but.
The break reaches the highest, and the identical riders dash for it. Izagirre needs once more claimed maimum factors, forward of Abrahamsen after which Madouas.
The break is ultimately carried out descending, and on the second climb now, Côte des Forche. It is a lot shorter than the earlier one, lasting solely 2.5km, however comparatively steep with a median of 6.7%.
130KM TO GO
Michael Mørkøv, Cees Bol, Davide Ballerini and Michele Gazzoli are the 4 riders with Cavendish. There current as a lot for emotional assist as bodily assist.
EF’s work is unhealthy information for Cavendish, although, who’s now over three and a half minutes adrift. He faces one of many fights of his life to make the time restrict.
140KM TO GO
Vercher has been introduced again by the peloton.
Cavendish has simply been sick once more on the descent. He is not making any inroads, three minutes adrift from the peloton.
Cavendish is visibly unwell. He vomited on the bike close to the highest of his summit. He’ll be relieved to be descending once more, however desperately must recuperate quick with so many extra climbs to return. For now, he appears to be like in a world of ache.
150KM TO GO
He has 4 teammates with him attempting to encourage him, however is shaking his head and looking out unhealthy. He’ll want to seek out reserves of energy from someplace or else his Tour is in peril.
Each time the digicam goes again to Cavendish, he’ having water poured over him. He is wanting very uncomfortable.
The peloton now attain the highest of the climb. EF’s work has been sufficient to convey the hole again down from six minutes to 5 minutes already.
Three and a half minutes after the leaders, Vercher crests the climb. It appears there is no means he is making it again into that group.
Extra sprinters now being dropped out the peloton – Fabio Jakobsen and, extra surprisingly, Fernando Gaviria.
Izagirre took most factors, from Madouas and Abrahamsen. It wasn’t an all-out dash, however they’ve nonetheless proven intent.
The break attain the highest of the primary climb, and there is a tussle for the KOM factors…
They’re working for Alberto Bettiol, the recently-crowned Italian champion. What a narrative it will be for him to win on residence roads within the tricolore.
With the hole having grown to over six minutes, EF Schooling-EasyPost are the primary workforce to take issues into their very own arms and lead the peloton.
Cavendish has his teammates round him, however he is 25 seconds off the peloton.
Mark Cavendish has been dropped out the peloton, and is struggling. The way in which he’s dousing himself in water suggests he is likely to be struggling within the warmth.
Now that he is made it into the break ultimately, Abrahamsen wants maintaining a tally of. The Norwegian rider was a livewire final yr, attacking a number of occasions, and has since confirmed himself a breakaway specialist.
160KM TO GO
The third standout identify is Valentin Madouas, again in Groupama-FDJ colors having simply misplaced his French nationwide champion title. In contrast to the opposite two, he hasn’t earlier than received a Tour stage, although has come shut with a second place end in 2022. He was desperate to get into the break in the beginning of the day, and can need to profit from it having succeeded.
The rider within the break with one of the best climbing credentials is Ion Izagirre. He’s not had the shape to be thought of a menace on GC, therefore being allowed up the street, however ought to nonetheless fancy his probabilities of dropping the remainder of the break come the later climbs.
So who’re the riders within the break? The headline identify is Matej Mohorič, who final yr added a 3rd profession Tour stage win to his palmares. This type of terrain fits him, although you may need anticipated him to carry again till later within the Tour, when breaks usually tend to succeed, to attempt his hand at a breakaway.
The tempo is basically off within the peloton now, permitting the hole to develop to 4-40. Somebody within the peloton should take management finally, if they’re to convey this break again and contest for the stage, and the race’s first yellow jersey.
TotalEnergies consultant Vercher is being dropped from the break on the climb. The issue for riders from the wildcard groups like them on a day as robust as at present is that, even when they achieve making the break, staying in it’s no assure.
Gibbons and Abrahamsen have made the juncture, which means the lead group is now made up of 9 riders.
The break is climbing for the primary time at present, taking over the primary of seven hills. It’s nearly all both uphill or downhill till now and the end in Rimini.
First sighting of the world champion Mathieu van der Poel, nevertheless it’s out the again of the peloton. He is needing somebody to repair his radio.
170KM TO GO
Vingegaard is again safely within the peloton.
Abrahamson has Ryan Gibbons on his wheel, and the peloton appears glad to allow them to go clear.
Bike change for Jonas Vingegaard within the peloton – because of a mechanical, not a crash.
Uno-X Mobility aren’t carried out but although – now Abrahamsen tries to stand up the street.
The work from Lidl-Trek has introduced again the Uno-X Mobility duo.
Lidl-Trek riders are actually pulling within the peloton. That is an early sign of intent – do they fancy Mads Pedersen to handle to recover from the climbs at present?
Massive crowds on the roadside because the riders move via Dicomano. The Italians have turned out in numbers to greet the Tour.
Rasmus Tiller and Odd Christian Eiking are the 2 Uno-X riders. They’re 15 seconds forward of the peloton, however nonetheless 1-20 behind the seven leaders.
180KM TO GO
As an alternative, they’ve fired two riders up the street in a counter-attack.
They don’t seem to be committing to main the peloton, both. The tempo is off once more.
Cort’s introduced again, and now certainly one of his Uno-X teammates ups the tempo within the peloton. It is clear the workforce are sad about lacking the break, however they appear in blended minds as to what to do subsequent.
Magnus Cort jumped out of the peloton, however already appeared to have given up the ghost.
52 seconds now between the peloton and the seven leaders. If anybody needs to bridge, they are going to should go now.
There have been some riders attempting to bridge as much as them, Gianni Vermeersch and Jonas Abrahamsen however they’ve been introduced again.
The group in full:
It is a robust group, too. Mohorič, Ion Izagirre and Valentin Madouas are all current.
47 seconds for this 7-man group – this definitely looks as if the day’s break.
The tempo has slowed within the peloton – this is likely to be the break of the day.
Wout van Aert has his hand up in the back of the peloton. He is taking issues straightforward for now, however could possibly be a contender for the stage later relying on how effectively recovered he’s from his damage.
190KM TO GO
It appears not – a flurry of counter-attacks from the peloton has seen every thing come again collectively once more.
García Pierna now has seven riders with him on the entrance, and a handful of seconds on the peloton. May this be the break?
Raúl García Pierna has managed to flee and is out in entrance alone, with a small group behind him chasing.
All the things is again collectively once more within the peloton.
Jan Hirt is in the back of the peloton, and already struggling. What an unlucky begin to the Tour for him.
DSM is the best-represented workforce within the present main group, with two riders.
They’re introduced again, and a brand new group of 5 attempt their luck, with a Groupama-FDJ rider concerned once more.
A brand new group now attempting to clear, that includes Paul Lapeira, now very conspicuous in his tricolore jersey as newly topped French nationwide champion.
That transfer has been introduced again.
A gaggle of about ten now has the most important hole we have seen up to now, however even that’s only some seconds.
Even fortmer podium finisher Romain Bardet is getting concerned within the assaults! That is removed from the same old suspects of wildcard groups and small names attempting to get into the break.
Stefan Küng can also be being full of life on the entrance. Groupama-FDJ appear desperate to get into the break at present, and have their strongest males utilised.
After a pause of some moments, the assaults start, led by Groupama-FDJ’s Valentin Madouas.
205KM TO GO
A horrible begin to the Tour for Jan Hirt, even earlier than the unofficial begin. The Czech rider crashed on his means again to the workforce bus after signing on, breaking three of his tooth. Soudal-QuickStep workforce will want him to recuperate, as he’s set to be a key domestique within the mountains for Remco Evenepoel.
Now simply 4km till the official begin. Typically earlier Grand Tour phases might be characterised by how little riders need to get into the break, however the quantity of climbing on the menu at present, and the prospect of every thing from a Polka-dot jersey and fame on such an enormous event, ought to imply there’s motion as soon as the flag drops quickly.
Nonetheless 10km left of the neutralised zone. The Tour de France is profiting from this distinctive Grand Départ.
Though there aren’t any climbs ranked larger than class two at present, there are plenty of them — seven in complete, amounting to three,600m elevation acquire in complete. It’s been described as one of many hardest begins to a Tour de France, and one which even many puncheurs will discover too laborious.
Mark Cavendish is in good spirits, waving to the group because the peloton units off from the unofficial begin. He’s right here using the fifteenth Tour of his profession, and is, as has been a lot mentioned, chasing the record-breaking thirty fifth win.
The riders have simply set off from the neutralised zone – the Tour is to start quickly! Not simply but, although, as they may spend longer than standard within the zone than standard as they savour the sights of Florence.
Observe our Instagram for on-the-ground updates in Florence and Rimini on our tales:
Ensure that to take a look at CN’s mega Grand Départ tech gallery, as shot and put collectively by our affiliate editor Josh Croxton, who’s on the bottom in Italy for the opening 3 phases:
Large reception for World Champion Mathieu van der Poel as he brings the rainbow bands to the Tour de France.
Simply half-hour till the départ fictif now in Florence. Reminder that it’s absolute scorcher at present in Tuscany so temperature regulation shall be extremely vital.
This is Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan) arriving in the beginning of stage 1 on his sixteenth and last Tour de France.
Ensure that to meet up with this nice learn on the significance of the Italian Grand Départ, which honours the hometowns and coaching roads of Italian greats Gino Bartali, Marco Pantani and Fausto Coppi:
Great reception for fan-favourite Mark Cavendish on stage in Florence, a spot expensive to his coronary heart. He is right here in the hunt for stage win 35.
Reminder that though it’s a punchy day, Mathieu van der Poel would not see it was an choice for himself of Jasper Philipsen:
Massive crowds welcome the primary workforce on stage, TotalEnergies.
Groups have arrived in Florence and are gearing up for sign-on and the workforce presentation. This is Visma-Lease a Bike and defending champion Jonas Vingegaard setting off from their workforce lodge this morning.
To get issues began, be sure that to learn our preview of stage 1, written by certainly one of CN’s workforce on the bottom on the Grand Départ, Dani Ostanek:
It is again, lastly! The largest bike race on the planet is about to start out and we’re getting the build-up began an hour and a half earlier than the riders set off from the neutralised begin in stunning Florence.
Bonjour and welcome to Cyclingnews reside protection of stage 1 of the 111th 2024 Tour de France!
