For the last Grande Boucle of his career, Frenchman Romain Bardet took victory on the first stage of the Tour de France between Florence and Rimini in front of his teammate Frank van den Broek. The rider from the DSM team inherits the first yellow on this Grande Boucle. The first of his career.
We expected a show during this first stage in Italy, we were not disappointed. After 206 kilometers on a hilly course between Florence and Rimini and in very hot weather, it was Romain Bardet who crossed the finish line first. After a great performance with his teammate at DSM, Frank van den Broek, the Frenchman resisted the return of the peloton to don the yellow jersey for the first time in his career. A masterstroke and a great reward for the one who at 33 years old is competing in his last Grand Boucle.
Runners already in the rough
Proof that the start of this 111th Tour is already trying, we have already seen veteran Mark Cavendish (39 years old) in great difficulty, David Gaudu too. As for the poor Czech Jan Hirt, he broke three teeth before the start after being caught by a spectator’s bag. The rest was attacks and a first breakaway bringing together seven riders including four French Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ), Clément Champoussin (Arkea-Samsic), Sandy Dujardin (Total-Energies) and Mattéo Vercher (Total-Energies).
Bardet like in a dream
50km from the finish, an acceleration from Romain Bardet allows the DSM-Firmenich PostNL rider to find his teammate Frank van den Broek at the head of the race. Despite the peloton returning, the two men resisted and crossed the finish line together. And Romain Bardet can be covered in yellow. Like in a dream.
The classification of the 1st stage of the Tour de France
1-Romain Bardet (FRA)
2-Frank van den Broek (NER)
3-Wout van Aert (BEL) at 5”
4-Tadej Pogacar (SLO) at 5”
5-Maxim van Gils (BEL) at 5”
6-Alex Aranburu (ESP) at 5”
7-Mads Pedersen (DAN) à 5”
8-Remco Evenepoel (BEL) à 5”
9-Pello Bilbao (ESP) at 5”
10-Alberto Bettiol (ITA)
Update on Tour de France jerseys
Maillot jaune : Romain Bardet, Français, DSM-Firmenich PostNL
Maillot translated: Frank van den Broek, Néerlandais, DSM-Firmenich PostNL
Polka dot jersey: Jonas Abrahamsen, Norwegian, Uno-X Mobility
White Maillot: Frank van den Broek, Dutch, DSM-Firmenich PostNL
