91st Tour de France - July 3-25, 2004
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Live Report
Stage 1 - Sunday, July 4: Liège-Charleroi, 202.5 km
Commentary by Chris Henry, with additional reporting from Jeff Jones and
Tim Maloney
Complete live report
Live coverage starts: 12:35 CEST
Estimated finish time: 17:15 CEST
12:15 CEST
Welcome back for Cyclingnews' live coverage of the first road stage of the 2004
Tour de France. We're still in Belgium today as the riders get ready for 202
kilometres between Liège and Charleroi. The route touches some of the
territory of the Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Flèche Wallonne
classics, but the major difficulties have been spared.
Overall there are five categorized climbs to deal with- four 4th category and
one 3rd category. The climbs are concentrated in the first half of the stage,
which should favour a bunch sprint by the end. These stages can be unpredictable,
however, and the wind could play a role in today's racing. The temperature at
the start is around 16 degrees.
Swiss Fabian Cancellara (Fassa Bortolo) begins the day in the yellow jersey
after his impressive prologue victory yesterday. Cancellara beat defending champion
Lance Armstrong by 2 seconds to take his first ever yellow jersey and Tour stage
win. Armstrong will begin today in the green jersey, which is customary for
the man in second place, although it's Cancellara who leads in that competition,
as well as in the young rider classification (white jersey).
12:42 CEST 2km/200.5km to go
And they're off!
Photo ©: Jeff Jones/Cyclingnews
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The riders are off, covering a short neutral section before the first flag is
dropped by race director Jean-Marie Leblanc. The first Cat. 4 climb, the Côte
de Florzé, comes after just 15km of racing.
12:53 CEST 7km/195.5km to go
The first attack for the 2004 Tour has come from Walter Beneteau (Brioches La
Boulangère), who jumped clear after just five kilometres. Without their
expected leader Joseba Beloki, La Boulangère will be riding an aggressive
race with stage wins in mind. French national champion Thomas Voeckler will
be one to watch, along with Sylvain Chavanel, Jérôme Pineau, etc.
12:59 CEST
Beneteau has been joined by Jens Voigt (CSC) and Karsten Kroon (Rabobank), making
it a trio in the lead. Pierrick Fedrigo of Crédit Agricole tried to bridge
to the group but couldn't make it across.
13:03 CEST
The first crash of the Tour has taken down Mario Cipollini and Oscar Sevilla,
among others. The first week of racing is always nervous in the Tour, and under
the control of Fassa Bortolo, today's stage has started in typically fast fashion.
13:04 CEST 15km/187.5km to go
The three man break has been caught, but Jens Voigt has still gone over the
Côte de Florzé in first spot. He was followed by Janek Tombak (Cofidis)
and Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step-Davitamon).
13:15 CEST
A five man break formed on the descent after the first climb as Bettini, Voigt
and Tombak kept the pressure on. With them came Franck Renier (La Boulangère)
and Bernhard Eisel (FDJeux.com).
Sevilla has had a bike change and he, Cipollini, and Guillaume Auger are back
in the pack after the crash.
13:23 CEST 26km/176.5km to go
Bettini took the points over the Côte d'Awan, followed by Tombak and Renier.
The break has increased its lead to around 50" as the peloton has eased up just
enough for them to move ahead.
13:28 CEST
Cyclingnews spoke to the one and only Eddy Merckx before the stage to get his
take on the prologue results and how today might play out.
"I think it will be a nervous stage," he said about today's race. "I don't think
it will break up because it's not so windy. You have a lot teams today with
big sprinters, so they'll try to arrive together. You have Petacchi, you have
McEwen, Boonen, Hushovd... A lot of riders, so it's difficult to say, but normally
Petacchi. Cipollini also..."
"Cancellara did a great job, because we saw the motivation of Lance yesterday,"
Merckx said. "He won the prologue by two seconds and was very impressive. As
for Lance, you saw the difference he made compared to his rivals. He took fifteen
seconds. It's not finished, but it was a big gap for such a small distance."
13:31 CEST 32km/170.5km to go
Some rain is starting to fall near the finish and there's a fairly stiff headwind
right now into the finale. Being Belgium, that's subject to change...
The leaders are working well together to build a small advantage, while Fassa
Bortolo is keeping things in check for the main field. Fassa Bortolo is on double
duty today, protecting yellow jersey Cancellara but also thinking of Petacchi
for an eventual sprint finish. If the team rides as it did in the Giro, this
shouldn't be too great a challenge, though Petacchi's competition in the sprints
is certainly deeper here in the Tour.
13:35 CEST 34km/168.5km to go
Three climbs and three different men have taken the points. This time it's the
turn of Tombak, who crosses the Cat. 4 Côte de Werbomont ahead of Bettini
and Renier. The group's lead over the main field has jumped above the two minute
mark. They've got about 65 kilometres to ride before the next climb, the Cat.
3 Côte de Borlon.
The race will pass through the town of Huy today, but the Tour won't have to
tackle the Mur.
13:45 CEST
Boonen's ready for his close up
Photo ©: Jeff Jones/Cyclingnews
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The white jersey of best young rider is on the shoulders of Tom Boonen today,
though it's race leader Fabian Cancellara who is leading the competition. Boonen
is riding his first Tour and is motivated to win a stage (at least one). He's
come into his own as a bunch sprinter this year, adding to his overall talent
as a classics rider.
"I didn't imagine this race could be quite so big," he said yesterday after riding
the prologue. "The huge crowds along the roadside were incredible. I'm really
excited to try to win a stage as early as Sunday."
Since the prologue was dead flat, nobody has yet donned the first polka dot jersey
of best climber. In the past when the prologue has featured a hill the Tour has
often awarded the first jersey to the rider who was fastest on that portion of
the course.
14:03 CEST 52km/150.5km to go
It's status quo for the moment as Fassa Bortolo leads the main field behind
the group of five.
In the lead group, Voigt is the best placed rider in the general classification,
just 11" behind Cancellara. There are three bonus sprints today, all in the
final 90km of racing, meaning Voigt will be motivated to keep the break going
until then so he can try to grab some time. Voigt's a big rider, but he can
sprint, so he should be able to put up a fight against Bettini and Eisel, who
are also quick.
The first bonus sprint is in Modave at kilometre 114.
14:18 CEST 65km/137.5km to go
Voigt is setting the pace in the main group, which is now riding in the rain.
They're trading pulls often, committed to racing and holding their advantage,
which is hovering just above the three minute mark.
Despite the changing weather the crowds are out in force, as usual.
14:24 CEST 69km/133.5km to go
Fassa Bortolo is still the sole team in charge at the head of the peloton. The
team has three riders at the front for the moment, including recently crownded
champion of Luxembourg, Kim Kirchen.
The field has passed through La Roche-en-Ardenne and is strung out on a slight
descent.
Fassa Bortolo's efforts have brought the break's advantage down below the two
minute mark.
14:28 CEST
Another sprinter happy with his prologue performance yesterday was Thor Hushovd
of Crédit Agricole. Hushovd won both the road and time trial championships
in Norway and is no stranger to efforts against the clock. He's improved his
sprinting and is also a candidate for the green jersey. He was 5th, just 10"
behind Cancellara in the prologue.
"I gave it everything and I was satisfied at the finish," he said. "I feel very
good right now and the result gives me even more confidence."
14:31 CEST
The Euskaltel-Euskadi and US Postal Service teams have moved up behind Fassa
Bortolo at the front of the field to keep their leaders out of trouble. Armstrong
is surrounded by his faithful teammates, sporting a rain jacket in the chilly,
wet conditions. More riders at the back of the field are retrieving extra clothing
from the team cars.
14:33 CEST 79km/123.5km to go
The five leaders (Voigt, Bettini, Renier, Tombak, Eisel) have reached the feed
zone and grabbed their musette bags for a soggy snack. Their advantage is still
around three minutes as Fassa Bortolo rides to keep them at a safe distance.
14:37 CEST
Robbie and Ewan
Photo ©: Jeff Jones/Cyclingnews
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Australian sprinter Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Domo) ducked into the village depart
this morning for a quick chat with his wife Angelique and baby son Ewan. Looking
calm but confident, McEwen told Cyclingnews' Jeff Jones that he felt "alright"
today but was unsure of how the stage would pan out.
"You never know what two expect on the first day. It should stay together as there
are plenty of teams interested. Fassa Bortolo has double the reason to ride [for
Cancellara and Petacchi]. Nobody wants to let anyone les get away on the first
day. It's a bit lumpy in the first 50 km so a very small group could get away
possibly. But I reckon it will be altogether at the end."
McEwen hasn't done any special reconnaissance of the finale, and will rely on
his instinct and the road book. "I remember something from it in the mid-90's
or the early 90's where it goes a little bit uphill in the last 600 metres, about
three percent or something so that sounds good. The biggest fight today is for
positioning. The first sprint is always one of the hardest."
Will it be a fight for Petacchi's wheel? "It will be a fight for that one but
there'll be a few different trains I'd expect."
[Jeff Jones notes that the finish is in fact slightly downhill in the final 500
metres]
14:43 CEST 85km/117.5km to go
The rain continues, as does the five man breakaway. None of the five is afraid
to do his share of the work and the paceline is still quite fluid. The gap is
3'06.
14:49 CEST
Fassa Bortolo now has five men up front to set the pace with Armstrong and US
Postal still tucked in just behind. They're doing a perfect job of letting the
break dangle out front but not gain too much time on the main field. With a
mostly flat second half of the stage, reeling in the five leaders shouldn't
pose a big problem.
14:55 CEST 99km/103.5km to go
Oscar Sevilla is showing the effects of his crash early in the stage. His shorts
are ripped and he has a bit of road rash on his right thigh, but nothing too
serious.
The break is now passing through a slick stretch of pavé (not the rough
stuff) in the town of Durbuy, almost the halfway point of the stage.
Next is the climb of the Côte de Borlon, the one Cat. 3 climb of the day.
15:00 CEST
The break's advantage has dropped suddenly below '230. The lead five are tackling
the 4+ kilometre long climb with the field beginning to bore down from behind.
Young Filippo Pozzato has begun to do a fair amount of work for Fassa Bortolo.
15:05 CEST 102km/100.5km to go
The five leaders are preparing for the sprint at the top of the climb. Bettini
leads out, followed by Tombak. Bettini holds him off to take 4 points. They're
totally strong out, but as the descent begins naturally Bettini and Tombak will
sit up to let the group reform.
Meanwhile at th eback of the field, Brad McGee looks to be in a bit of trouble
on the climb. The field is essentially together but some riders are drifting
off the back. Including... Mario Cipollini, who's in the company of McGee and
a Lotto rider, slightly detached.
15:08 CEST
On the slick descent, Voigt and Renier, in fourth and fifth positions, have
missed a turn and slid off the road. Voigt saw the error coming and unclipped
as he sunk into the soggy bank. Both are up and back in the group without major
incident.
Dmitriy Fofonov has crashed with several others in the main field on what's
proving a dangerous descent. A Phonak rider has gone down as well, though it
does not appear to be Hamilton.
15:11 CEST
The break is now on the foot of the Côte d'Ocquier, the final climb of
the day. Things are nervous in the main field given the dangerous conditions.
Still it's Fassa Bortolo leading the charge behind the break.
15:15 CEST
Voigt looks to have taken the final mountain points for the day, followed by
Tombak and Bettini. That should give Tombak the first polka dot jersey of the
Tour.
Eisel has gone down hard! While getting some advice from his team director Marc
Madiot, Bernhard Eisel's front wheel slipped and he's crashed.
He's back up and riding but that was a tough tumble for the Austrian, whose
wheel looks to have touched Tombak's.
15:17 CEST
Eisel is trying to get back to the break after his fall, pacing behind the team
cars following this move. He looks a bit stiff and banged up.
Eisel's teammate, Brad McGee, is part of a growing number of riders dropped
from the main field. Carlos Da Cruz is also in the group, along with Matt Wilson.
Cipollini's there too.
Eisel has made it back up to the group and immediately goes to the front to
take a short pull.
15:20 CEST 112km/90.5km to go
Hamilton had a bike change at the precise moment one of his teammates crashed
with Fofonov, prompting fears that the crash-prone American had gone down. Fortunately
that's not the case and it appears to have been a mechanical issue.
McGee's group is about 300 metres behind the peloton. They should get back in
contact, but the pace set by Fassa Bortolo isn't helping matters. Cipollini
also has a few teammates with him in this second group.
The first bonus sprint in Modave is coming up soon.
15:22 CEST
Eisel is the first to jump for the bonus sprint! Voigt goes after him but the
Austrian holds him off and takes the 6 seconds and the points for the green
jersey. Voigt followed for second.
The peloton is closing in.
15:26 CEST
Fassa Bortolo is really cranking it up now and the break is barely half a minute
ahead. Kim Kirchen is hammering in first position.
A crash has taken down Aart Vierhouten of Lotto-Domo and an Alessio rider.
15:29 CEST
The writing's on the wall now for the five leaders. They've done well to take
all of the mountain points and the first bonus sprint, but the sprinters' teams
are getting anxious and Fassa Bortolo wants to keep Cancellara's yellow jersey
as well.
There's been a big split in the peloton and the lead group, perhaps as result
of Vierhouten's crash. He's back up and in a chasing group. There are about
80 riders in the first split, including the yellow jersey.
15:31 CEST 119km/83.5km to go
The rain is coming down harder and the stage is shaping up to be a difficult
one for all involved. The McGee/Cipollini group is still chasing the main peloton,
which is still in two pieces. The gap is only a few seconds but these splits
can be dangerous. Euskaltel is leading the chase to close this gap as Mayo may
have been caught in the second split. Fassa Bortolo's pace has been relentless.
The five leaders are still away, but barely.
15:35 CEST 127km/75.5km to go
Cancellara is riding behind six of his teammates up front, as Hincapie leads
the US Postal bunch which follows closely behind Fassa Bortolo.
The race is heading into Huy along the same road which leads to the Flèche
Wallonne final. They'll skip the Mur de Huy but the rolling terrain is still
a rough ride in these conditions. The rain has eased a bit but the roads are
very wet.
McGee's group is clawing its way back to the main field.
15:37 CEST
The break has 25 seconds as Bettini and Voigt give it everything to hold the
field off until the next bonus sprint which comes in just a few kilometres.
The crowds are enormous in Huy. Wet, but enormous.
15:38 CEST
Bettini has dropped off the group before the sprint. Voigt revs up the speed
before the sprint on a steady uphill drag. He's got only Renier and Tombak on
his wheel, but the peloton his the trio in sight.
15:41 CEST 132km/70.5km to go
Voigt is caught but he's still hammering trying to reach the bonus sprint. He's
overpowered by Fassa Bortolo who begin to lead out yellow jersey Cancellara
for sprint.
Hushovd is moving up, looking for green jersey points.
They've caused a split as just a handful of riders move clear. The sprint is
on a hill. Cancellara starts the sprint but Hushovd comes around him and grinds
up to the line. He gets it ahead of Cancellara.
15:44 CEST
Bad luck for another Cofidis Aussie... Stuart O'Grady suffered a puncture right
at the base of the hill before this sprint.
O'Grady's got four teammates pacing him back but once again there's another
big group tailed off the back of the main field. McGee is still in this rear
group along with Cipollini and co.
15:49 CEST
There's been a correction in the mountain points, as Bettini took the final
climb. That will put the Italian in the polka dot jersey and not Tombak.
Cipollini's group continues to hover just behind the main field but the riders
are having a hard time once again closing the gap. O'Grady's teammates have
pulled him up to the McGee group. Brad McGee appears to be in a group even further
behind. A tough day for the man who won the prologue in last year's Tour and
started in the yellow jersey.
15:52 CEST 137km/65.5km to go
The peloton has eased up just a bit, allowing Cipollini's group to get back
in contact. This group included O'Grady, but not McGee.
The rain capes are coming off, though Iban Mayo had best pay attention.. the
Euksaltel leader swerved a bit while removing his but managed not to take out
all of the race favourites with an inopportune crash.
15:53 CEST
Tom Boonen (Quick.Step-Davitamon) told Cyclingnews' Jeff Jones before
the start that he had good legs after yesterday's prologue, and expects a tough
battle between him, Petacchi and the other sprinters.
Being Belgian, Boonen has a home ground advantage in the next few stages, but
admitted that he hasn't scoped out the finish of today's race. "I know the road
but it's a long time since I've been there so when I'm there I'll remember,"
he said.
15:58 CEST 140km/62.5km to go
FDJeux.com directeur sportif explains that Brad McGee is suffering from back
pain, hence his difficulty throughout today's stage. McGee was seen sitting
up and stretching a bit after the various climbs. His group looks to be approaching
the main field, but it's been a tough slog for the Australian.
T-Mobile is starting to move forward now. Ullrich's team has been hiding a bit
in the main field but they'll be thinking of keeping him out of trouble in the
finale, as well as working for Erik Zabel in the sprint.
Until then, it's all Fassa Bortolo, all the time.
16:02 CEST
With the pace a bit calmer in the main field, Bernhard Eisel has dropped back
to pay a visit to the medical car after his crash while in the early break.
He looks to be fine other than some scrapes.
16:06 CEST
The big favourites are all comfortably riding at the front of the field. Hamilton
is there, Ullrich, Mayo, Armstrong... who has removed his rain jacket and is
showing the green jersey he earned [the right to wear] after a second place
in yesterday's prologue.
At the back, it's McGee's turn to have a chat with the Tour doctors, though
there's not much they can do for back pain at this point. McGee has his faithful
friend and teammate Matt Wilson with him, but he doesn't look happy at all.
16:09 CEST
As the next intermediate sprint nears, Crédit Agricole is moving riders
up for Hushovd, while Quick.Step is also getting in the act. There's a stiff
wind from the riders' left and the peloton is still rather bunched up, taking
the whole width of the road.
16:12 CEST
Crédit Agricole's Patrice Halgand begins to pick up the pace before the
sprint with Christophe Moreau on his wheel and Hushovd not far behind. Having
taken an early bonus, Hushovd is a candidate to take over the yellow jersey
today. He was only 10" behind Cancellara at the stage start and he's picked
up two seconds over the Swiss so far.
Quick.Step now takes over as the sprint approaches. Boonen is in fourth position.
16:14 CEST 154km/48.5km to go
Quick.Step leads out for Boonen, who launches the sprint. Cancellara tries to
follow but it's O'Grady who comes around on the right side to take the sprint.
O'Grady gets the bonus ahead of Cancellara and Boonen.
Hushovd in the end was nowhere, perhaps saving himself for the finish but likely
boxed in in the big sprint.
Just after the sprint a break has gone with 2003 stage winner Jakob Piil (CSC)
and Rabobank's Marc Wauters.
16:16 CEST
A group of five has moved clear in pursuit of Wauters and Piil, who are riding
strongly together to build a small gap.
16:20 CEST 157km/45.5km to go
A counter attack by Laurent Brochard, Sébastien Hinault, Fabio Baldato,
Thomas Voeckler and Marco Velo is dangling just ahead of the main field, as
Wauters and Piil continue to move clear.
16:21 CEST
The Brochard group sits up, caught by the peloton, but the two leaders are still
clear with 35".
16:22 CEST
An update on Brad McGee: The FDJeux.com leader was apparently caught in one
of the early crashes and landed heavily, injuring his lower back. His objective
is to finish the stage, after which he will be taken for examination to determine
how serious the problem may be.
16:27 CEST 160km/42.5km to go
Piil and Wauters have reached the minute mark ahead of the main field. They're
both strong rouleurs and are working together. Piil has a permanent grimace
on his face but he's not shying away from taking pulls.
16:30 CEST
Marzio Bruseghin is back in command at the head of the field, but he's the only
rider there for Fassa Bortolo. US Postal is assembled behind him with Ekimov
leading the blue train. No team has started the real initiative to chase Piil
and Wauters, who now have more than a minute and a half.
16:34 CEST 167km/35.5km to go
The lead duo is continuing to hold an advantage of more than a minute and a
half, but Fassa Bortolo has once more sent additional men to the front. Juan
Antonio Flecha is leading the bunch in pursuit of the break.
Lotto-Domo looks to be taking interest in the chase, hoping to carry Robbie
McEwen to the bunch sprint.
16:41 CEST 172km/30.5km to go
It's drying up somewhat as the riders head into the final 30km of racing. Wauters
and Piil are still away, to the excitement of the crowds lining the road. The
two are doing well considering the headwind they're facing.
More and more sprinters' teammates are making appearances at the front of the
peloton, including men from Gerolsteiner, Lotto-Domo, Quick.Step and Fassa Bortolo.
16:46 CEST
The gap is holding at 1'45", which will not be enough to hold off the sprinters'
teams in the final 25km of racing. Davide Bramati is in first position for Quick.Step.
16:50 CEST 181km/21.5km to go
Wauters and Piil are hanging tough. Both are stage winners in the Tour and both
know how to keep a breakaway going. They're not losing ground, but nor are they
gaining time on the field.
Lotto, Quick.Step, and Fassa Bortolo are still the teams in charge in the peloton,
with Armstrong's US Postal men always close behind.
16:55 CEST
Piil and Wauters are both showing the strain of their efforts, and they've lost
a bit of time in the last few kilometres. Nonetheless, the real chase has not
begun behind.
McGee is in trouble again, this time dropped alone from the main field. The
wind will make the finish tougher for McGee, who could use the help of a teammate
or two to help him get back in the bunch.
Matt Wilson has received the message, and he's eased up to wait for McGee and
give him a needed hand.
16:58 CEST 187km/15.5km to go
Fifteen kilometres to go for the two leaders who have hung on to 1'25 over the
main field. Their chances are looking better but it's still going to be a tough
finish. More organization is needed among the sprinters' teams to get the full
chase going.
McGee is struggling to hold Wilson's wheel as the two Aussies try to get through
the miserable first day.
17:01 CEST 191km/11.5km to go
The advantage of Wauters and Piil has dropped below one minute as the peloton
begins to pick up more steam. Lotto-Domo and Quick.Step are still doing more
of the work, along with occasional assistance from Fassa Bortolo.
It's do or die for the two leaders who have 11km to go.
17:02 CEST 192km/10.5km to go
The two leaders are 45" ahead, cruising downhill on a long straight road. The
field will soon be able to see them, which is never good for a break's chances.
Ten kilometres to go and Piil and Wauters continue to trade pulls perfectly.
17:04 CEST
Now the battle for positioning is beginning in the main field. The peloton is
taking up the entire three lane road as more and more sprinters try to get their
leadout men to move them to the front.
Behind the field, Wilson is still pacing McGee, trying to limit their losses
behind the bunch.
17:07 CEST
The list of sprint candidates is long... Petacchi, McEwen, Hushovd, O'Grady,
Davis, Cooke, Zabel, Hondo, etc. If the two leaders are caught we should be
in for a massive finish.
The first man to try to break the grip of the main field is Marcus Ljungqvist
(Alessio-Bianchi), who's jumped clear of the bunch.
Piil and Wauters are still away but getting nervous and looking over their shoulders.
17:09 CEST 197km/5.5km to go
Not an ounce of energy can be spared for the two leaders who are trying to desperately
to beat the odds and hold off the field. They're in the outskirts of Charleroi
now.
Ljungqvist is hanging off the front of the bunch, which isn't letting him get
far with his attack.
The chase is still rather disorganized. There are several teams keeping the
pace high but no real cooperation. Time for Fassa Bortolo to take control.
17:11 CEST 198km/4.5km to go
Four kilometres to go now for the two leaders as T-Mobile gets into the act
at the head of the main field. The longer it takes to get one team in control,
the more chance Piil and Wauters have of staying away. It's going to be close.
17:12 CEST
Phonak's Nicolas Jalabert has fallen in the main field but seems to be the only
one. He's pissed, but up and getting going.
17:13 CEST 200km/2.5km to go
The yellow jersey himself, Fabian Cancellara is leading the Fassa Bortolo train
which is trying to get Petacchi into winning position. They're almost up to
the break but not there yet.
17:13 CEST
Ag2r-Prevoyance has come through to catch the two leaders and try to set up
the sprint for Jean-Patrick Nazon and Jaan Kirsipuu.
17:14 CEST 201km/1.5km to go
Fassa Bortolo is back in control in the final kilometre. The top sprinters are
almost all in position. Hondo is there, Petacchi is there, Boonen and Hushovd
are there too.
17:15 CEST
Crédit Agricole leads out for Hushovd, who jumps first.
Hushovd leads and almost gets it, but Kirsipuu powers through and raises his
fist. It's a very close call between Kirsipuu and McEwen, who threw his bike
right at the line.
17:16 CEST
Kirsipuu seems to have taken the sprint ahead of McEwen. Petacchi was completely
out of it, while Hondo was coming quickly on the left for fourth place behind
Hushovd.
17:21 CEST
Cancellara should hang on to his yellow jersey but Hushovd has moved into position
to challenge in the coming days.
Wilson and McGee limp home now. McGee has done well to suffer through the stage
and finish. Hopefully he will be able to carry on without too much difficulty
tomorrow.
Results
(Provisional)
1 Jaan Kirsipuu (Est) Ag2r-Prevoyance 4.40.29
2 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Lotto-Domo
3 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Credit Agricole
4 Danilo Hondo (Ger) Gerolsteiner
5 Jean-Patrick Nazon (Fra) Ag2r-Prevoyance
6 Baden Cooke (Aus) FDJeux.com
7 Kurt-ASle Arvesen (Nor) Team CSC
8 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Fassa Bortolo
9 Erik Zabel (Ger) T-Mobile
10 Allan Davis (Aus) Liberty Seguros
General classification after stage 1
1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Fasssa Bortolo 4.47.13
2 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Credit Agricole 0.02
3 Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal Service 0.08
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