Crosswinds make for a hectic race Saturday afternoon.
For only the third time in history, and for the first time in 31 years, Lille hosted the Grand Depart. Unlike three decades ago, when the time trial specialists fought for the yellow jersey on the opening day, it was the sprinters who should have been in the spotlight now at the finish, but everything changed with 17 kilometers to go.
Several teams decided to increase in the crosswinds, and in just a matter of seconds, they split the peloton. Our riders found themselves in the first chasing group and did their best to limit the losses as things became more and more nervous and the gap between the group began going up. The stage was won by Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), while the Soudal Quick-Step boys came home around 40 seconds after doing their best on the long roads to Lille in order to erase the deficit as the kilometers ticked down.
The 112th Tour de France continues on Sunday with a hilly stage to Boulogne-sur-Mer, where the many short and steep climbs stacked in the final part promise to reshuffle the general classification.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
