Alaphilippe wins first stage of Tour de France amid two major crashes
Julian Alaphilippe wins the first stage of the 2021 Tour de France as a spectator causes the first of two major crashes and Jasha Sutterlin abandons race.
Frenchman and UCI World Champion Julian Alaphilippe from Team Deceuninck-QuickStep finished the 2021 Tour de France’s first stage in 4 hour, 38 minutes and 55 seconds after a spectator caused the first of two major crashes.
The spectator stepped out in front of the peloton – the main group of riders – with a cardboard sign, causing rider Tony Martin from Team Jumbo-Visma to crash into him. Other riders crashed into Martin, leaving several with injuries and broken bikes and equipment.
Team-DSM rider Jasha Sütterlin abandoned the race after the first crash with many others potentially not starting tomorrow’s stage.
That crash... mayhem with riders down all across the road.
— SBS Sport (@SBSSportau) June 26, 2021
Fans caught up and just hope all are as good as can be expected. #sbstdf #couchpeloton #TDF2021 pic.twitter.com/azWCtqvdnf
More from Tour de France
- Tadej Pogacar wins the 2021 Tour de France as Wout Van Aert wins the final stage
- Tour de France standings set as Wout Van Aert wins Stage 20
- Tour de France standings unchanged as Matej Mohoric wins Stage 19
- Tour de France jersey leads cemented as Tadej Pogacar wins Stage 18
- Updated 2021 Tour de France standings after Tadej Pogacar wins stage 17
Another crash occurred within five kilometres of the finish line for the 197.8 kilometre long stage from the town of Brest to Landerneau, with riders like Chris Froome and Andre Greipel hitting the tarmac.
Dutch rider for Team Bora-Hansgrohe Ide Schelling broke away early from the peloton avoiding the two crashes to gain the King of the Mountains polka dotted jersey but was caught within 20 kilometres of the finish line.
Last year’s Tour de France winner Slovenian Tadej Pogacar finished the stage in sixth place, 18 seconds behind Alaphilippe.
Australian Michael Matthews and Slovenian Peter Rogalic finished second and third for the stage. Alaphilippe will wear the yellow jersey in Sunday’s stage as the current race leader.
Must Read. The #couch peloton - cycling's loudest fan community. light
Tour de France officials will determine whether special rulings on timings will be made due to the crashes as teams decide if riders who crashed are fit to continue racing.