The 1st stage of the 2017 Tour de France is played out on a flat course of 14 kilometres in the German city Düsseldorf. You could compare it to the opening stage of the 2015 Tour de France in Utrecht. Also a time trial, also a flat route, also in a city centre. Rohan Dennis powered to the yellow jersey ahead of favourite Tony Martin. This time Dennis is not competing, furtermore the German is racing for his home-crowds. How does Martin handle the pressure? The course is perfect for him. But it is as perfect for dark-horse Jos van Emden. The Dutchman powered to his first World Tour-victory in the last ITT of the Giro. In Utrecht Van Emden finished 10 seconds down on Martin.
Favourites 1st stage 2017 Tour de France
*** Tony Martin, Jos van Emden
** Stephen Cummings, Richie Porte, Primoz Roglic, Michael Matthews, Vasil Kiryienka
* Michal Kwiatkowski, Jonathan Castroviejo, Fabio Felline, Chris Froome, Stefan Küng
Tour de France 2017 stage 1: Route maps, height profiles, and more
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Profile final kilometres
Accessroads 1st stage
Details start/finish in Düsseldorf
Teams hotels 1st stage
I’m surprised I don’t see Porte in the favorites to take the first stage. I think and update may be needed?
Thank you. You are right. The article has been updated.