Stage Details:
Tonight is Stage 1, Liège >> Seraing, 198 km
Like in Brittany in 2008 and in Vendée in 2011, the finish of the first online stage of the Tour will be judged at the top of a hill after an ascent of 2.5 km. “Puncheurs” (strong cyclists with explosive speed which they use on short, but steep gradients with sudden attacks), will be expected to perform better here than pure sprinters. At a time when the riders will still have lots of energy, their performances promise to be spec-tacular. — Christian Prudhomme’s Analysis
- Stage 1 preview: Liège → Seraing, 198 km (lumpy/uphill finish) [SteepHill]
- Liège >> Seraing, Stage 1 (198 km) [SBS Cycling Central]
- July 1, Stage 1: Liège – Seraing 198km [CyclingNews]
- 1st Stage – Sunday 1st July 2012 Liège > Seraing – 198 km [EuroSport]
- 2012 Tour de France LIVE – Stage 1 [Cycling Fans]
- stage 1 – Liège > Seraing, 198 km [www.letour.fr]
Live:
Tickers/Streaming
- SBS 2012 Tour Tracker [SBS]
- Tour de France – Liège – Seraing “live match” [Eurosports]
- stage 1 – Liège > Seraing, 198 km “live” [www.letour.fr]
Results:
Stage 1 results
01 SAGAN, Peter SVK (LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE) 4:58:19
02 CANCELLARA, Fabian SUI (RADIOSHACK-NISSAN)
03 BOASSON HAGEN, Edvald NOR (SKY PROCYCLING)
04 GILBERT, Philippe BEL (BMC RACING)
05 MOLLEMA, Bauke NED (RABOBANK)
06 VALVERDE BELMONTE, Alejandro ESP (MOVISTAR)
07 GESINK, Robert NED (RABOBANK)
08 MARTIN, Daniel IRL (GARMIN – SHARP)
09 HESJEDAL, Ryder CAN (GARMIN – SHARP)
10 DE WEERT, Kevin BEL (OMEGA PHARMA-QUICKSTEP)
* Podcast: Tour de France round table – Stage 1 wrap [SBS Cycling Central]
* TdF Podcast 001 [Cycling Weekly]
Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland held on to the Tour de France yellow jersey Sunday after being pipped at the finish line of the first stage by streetwise Slovakian Peter Sagan. RadioShack rider Cancellara took the race leader’s jersey thanks to a commanding opening day win on Saturday when he repeated his Liege feat of 2004 to claim the fourth prologue win of his career.
But despite leaving a gaping hole when he pulled away from the peloton with 1.5km remaining on the 2.4 km-long uphill finish, the Swiss was upstaged by the Liquigas team’s Slovakian champion. Sagan, a sprinter known for his climbing abilities, soon attached himself to Cancellara’s back wheel and for the remaining 1200 meters refused to collaborate by taking a relay at the front to allow the Swiss a breather.
– www.bicycling.com
For Sky principal Dave Brailsford, who saw Wiggins crash out of the race on stage seven last year, the eventuality of crashes, and not the colour of jerseys or helmet covers, was more worrying.
“The way it ended up Brad didn’t lose any time, which was the main consideration for the day,” he said.
“All in all it was important that Brad didn’t lose any time.”
Sky could have come off worse, with Chris Froome puncturing and Australia’s Rogers crashing but emerging unscathed.
“It was pretty sketchy at times. Froomey punctured with about 15k to go, which took him out. Mick crashed, which was disappointing, but he’ll be all right.”
“It got really nervous once that first crash happened and from then on in it was pretty sketchy.”
– SBS Cycling Central
#SBSTDF
For #sbstdf followers;
* there were plenty of cows (#lvdt) and even some Belgian Blues, and our commentators using the cows for weather forecasting.
Stage 1: Round-up [les vaches du tour]
* and #TrollDJ was on form
Some say he/she likes Piña Coladas and getting caught in the rain… all we know, is it’s the #trolldj
♫ Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band – “Doin’ what comes naturally”
♫ Fun feat. Janelle Monae – We are Young : ‘and set the world on fire’ ode to sprinters
♫ Señor Coconut – Tour De France (Merengue)- ok we’ve all been trolled by that one!
♫ Cabins – Hounds ‘the hounds are gonna get it’ as the Peloton chases the breakaway
♫ Kaiser Chiefs – On the Run “Oh, I live for these moments”
* Scott Sunderland (@triplesmc) went early and had the #TrollShirt for Stage 1!
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