Belgian Yves Lampaert, Quick-Step, won the opening time trial at the Tour de France. He also donned the first yellow jersey in the 109th edition. Tadej Pogacar was the double winner of the event. However, the Slovenian took the time to beat the other favorites on this stage that was affected by changing weather and a road slowly drying out after a downpour.
Lampaert, who was leaving on a more difficult road, deprived Wout van Aert, his compatriot, of the yellow jersey. He did so in just 5 seconds. To be sure of this prestigious victory, the 31-year-old son farmer waited for 60 riders to arrive. The Flamand, a Belgian champion in time trial, hasn’t raced the Grande Boucle since 2018, even though he is one the most basic men in Quick-Step, particularly in the classics (third in Paris-Roubaix 2019,).
SEE ALSO General classification after the first stage
The weather puzzle was a challenge for all teams. The rain stopped during the race. This was contrary to forecasts that had justification for the favorites being in the first half. It also established a sense of equity. Pogacar finished third in the stage, just behind Lampaert van Aert who congratulated him for leaving the finish line. He also did better than his competitors for the general classification of the Tour de France. The crowd ovated the Dane Jonas Vingegaard as he fell 8 seconds behind the winner, Primoz Roglic.
Pogacar was very careful in the turns, but very agile. This feat was made even more remarkable by the fact that the 23-year-old from Slovenia appeared to be unaffected by stress, despite the challenges and increased risks presented by the slippery road. He was in a good mood, laughing loudly and not seeming to be worried just a few seconds before the start.
Van Aert was a concentrated individual who pushed the limits of his ability. He managed to negotiate the curves and visited the tourist spots of Copenhagen. He started a minute before the Italian Filippo Gagna and improved his time by more than five seconds. However, he was delayed by a slow puncture of the rear wheel in one of the final kilometers.
Van Aert was close to the yellow jersey and it was within his reach. However, he failed to maintain his success in the Tour after he had won the previous two stages. 2021: The Libourne time trial (30.8km) and then the Champs-Elysees sprint at Paris. Three runners from his roster were among the top eight. Christophe Laporte’s hot time at halfway (three seconds faster than van Aert) could have added to the positive picture at the beginning of a difficult, challenging first week. , risky.
“I have never taken corners so badly that I almost feel ashamed!”
Geraint Thomas
The climbers find the time required to complete this time trial in changing conditions challenging but not prohibitive. Australian Ben O’Connor, 4th in the 2021 Tour, was last. He lost 54 seconds to Pogacar. Spaniard Enric Mass took 49 seconds and Romain Bardet took 38 seconds.
The Briton Adam Yates, 16 seconds from Pogacar, was the winner of the Ineos team’s top three. He beat Daniel Martinez (Colombia) and Geraint Thomas (Wales). “I have never taken corners so badly that I almost regret it!” “, lamented Lament the 2018 Tour winner, who, however, only lost 18 seconds to the Slovenian. “Fortunately, the legs are turning well. “I felt like I had power.”
The rest of the stage promises a much-anticipated final on Saturday in the second stage. This will see Nyborg pass through the Great Belt (the arm of the ocean that separates two large Danish islands) to get to Nyborg. This race is on a course that is exposed to wind and will be dependent on the weather.
