Tour de France 2014: Cav crashes, Kittel takes sprint and GC lead

foto: Cor VosSaturday July 5th, 2014 - The 2014 Tour de France opens with a ride in 190 kilometres, leading from Leeds to Harrogate. 42-Year old Jens Voigt puts on a great show and his countryman Marcel Kittel outsprints riders who were not in the crash in the deep finale. Just like last edition Kittel takes the first yellow jersey. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 1st stage Tour de France 2014

1. Marcel Kittel (ger)
2. Peter Sagan (svk) s.t.
3. Ramunas Navardauskas (lit) s.t.
4. Bryan Coquard (fra) s.t.
5. Michael Rogers (aus) s.t.
6. Chris Froome (gb) s.t.
7. Alexander Kristoff (nor) s.t.
8. Sep Vanmarcke (bel) s.t.
9. José Joaquin Rojas (spa) s.t.
10. Michael Albasini (swi) s.t.

GC after stage 1st stage
1. Marcel Kittel (ger)
2. Peter Sagan (svk) s.t.
3. Ramunas Navardauskas (lit) s.t.
4. Bryan Coquard (fra) s.t.
5. Michael Rogers (aus) s.t.
6. Chris Froome (gb) s.t.
7. Alexander Kristoff (nor) s.t.
8. Sep Vanmarcke (bel) s.t.
9. José Joaquin Rojas (spa) s.t.
10. Michael Albasini (swi) s.t.

Race report
Accompanied by Nicolas Edet and Benoit Jarrier the oldest rider of the 2014 Tour attacks. Jens Voigt and the two French ‘youngsters’ break away and they break away fast. After Jarrier takes the only mountain point at Kidstones Bank, a category-4 climb, Voigt decides to turn stage 1 into a farewell tour. He goes solo and with 100 kilometres left his gain to the pack is 5 minutes and to his former companions 1’45″.

At Buttertubs Pass (3rd category) the German takes all mountain points. The same at Robin Cross Hill, also 3rd category, so Voigt wears the polka dot jersey tomorrow.

Soon after cresting Robin Cross Hill Voigt is reeled in by the peloton. Edet and Jarrier were swallowed 20 kilometrs ago.

In the final kilometre Fabian Cancellara escapes despite the speed being incredible due to Tony Martin leading the Omega Pharma train. Within sight of the finish line home favourite Mark Cavendish crashes in the middle of the road. Kedeng, end of dream! Marcel Kittel is in front and powers to victory, beating Peter Sagan en Ramunas Navardauskas on the line.