As it was expected first TDF-2018 stage was finished with bunch sprint won by Fernando Gaviria (Quick Step Floors). He was faster than Pater Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Marcel Kittel (Katusha-Alpecin).

The 201km stage was started with the break of three riders Kevin Ledanois (Fortuneo-Samsic), Yoann Offredo (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) and Jerome Cousin (Direct Energie)

In a 10 kilometers after start they had a 3 minutes gap when it became stable and before 100 km to finish its size was 2:30.

First intermediate sprint was at 120 km distance. It was won by Cousin, the second place took Ledanois, and the third – Offredo. Gaviria became the first who crossed intermediate sprint line from the bunch.

In a 54 km riders should to pass through first hill (4th category) Cote de Vix. According to route book its lenhth is 700 meters and average gradient is about 4.3%. But in fact riders met first gradient 3 kilometrrs before the end of hill. The single point and polka-dot jersey was won by Ledanois. After this he diceded to go back to peloton. So the break’s size was reduced to 2 cyclists.

Second intermediate sprint with bonuses was 13.5 km before finish. First place and 3 seconds bonification was took by Cousin, 2nd place was won by Offredo. Oliver Nassen took 1 second because he was the winner from peloton.

Bunch reached break at 10 km before finish but behind a crash claimed several riders among them Egan Bernal and Wout Poels (both - Team Sky). But it wasn’t last crush. 5 kilometers before end of stage Chris Froome crashed and before 1.5 km Quintana punctured.


At the main finish Quick Step Floors showed an ideal job that leaded their leader Fernando Gaviria to victory. He proved he was the strongest sprinter in peloton today.

As for the favourites among those who lost time were Richie Port (BMC) and Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott), Quintana lost 1 minute and 15 seconds. Other favorites akob Fuglsang (Astana), Mikel Landa and Alejandro Valverde (both - Movistar), Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb), Roman Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) and Vinchenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida) finished in the same group as a winner.

Full results of first TDF stage.