Chris Froome, one of the main favourites if this season’s Tour de France, lost almost one whole minute after he crashed in an intense and chaotic finish yesterday, during the opening stage.
Just only 5 kilometers from the finish line, the defending champion who is now trying to win his fifth Tour de France title, found himself squeezed out on bend near Fontenay-le-Comte.
First stage was won by Quick-Step Floors Fernando Gaviria who clocked 4 hours, 23 minutes and 32 seconds.
Colombian rider was able to hold off Peter Sagan and become the first one to win his debut stage of a Grand Tour since 2004 when Fabian Cancellara won his.
? Chris Froome’s harsh crash seen from within the peloton. Fortunately, the reigning champion got back on his bike ! ?
? La chute de Chris Froome vue de l’intérieur du peloton. Le champion en titre est fort heureusement parvenu à reprendre la route ! ?#TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/9axsaRay1f— Le Tour de France (@LeTour) July 7, 2018
Tour de France 2018: Opening Stage results
Fernando Gaviria (Col/Quick-Step Floors) – 4hrs 23mins 32secs
Peter Sagan (Svk/Bora-Hansgrohe) same
Marcel Kittel (Ger/Katusha-Alpecin)
Alexander Kristoff (Nor/UAE Team Emirates)
Christophe Laporte (Fra) Cofidis)
Dylan Groenewegen (Ned/LottoNL-Jumbo)
Michael Matthews (Aus/Team Sunweb)
John Degenkolb (Ger/Trek-Segafredo)
Jakob Fuglsang (Den/Astana)
Rafal Majka (Pol/Bora-Hansgrohe)
General classification so far
Fernando Gaviria (Col/Quick-Step Floors) – 4hrs 23mins 32secs
Peter Sagan (Svk/Bora-Hansgrohe) +4secs
Marcel Kittel (Ger/Katusha-Alpecin) +6secs
Oliver Naesen (Bel/AG2R La Mondiale) +9secs
Alexander Kristoff (Nor/UAE Team Emirates) +10secs
Christophe Laporte (Fra) Cofidis) same time
Dylan Groenewegen (Ned/LottoNL-Jumbo)
Michael Matthews (Aus/Team Sunweb)
John Degenkolb (Ger/Trek-Segafredo)
Jakob Fuglsang (Den/Astana)
Etape 2 / Stage 2
? Mouilleron-Saint-Germain ➡️ La Roche-sur-Yon
? 182,5 km
? 13:10 CET
? 17:35 CET
? Beaulieu-sous-la-Roche
? Saint-Florent-des-Bois
⛰ 1 x cat. 4#TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/SNWdbyf7el— Le Tour de France (@LeTour) July 8, 2018
