The big day at last! The 109th Tour de France got underway this afternoon, with an individual time trial in Copenhagen.
No risks in the driving rain
The 176 Tour de France riders were in Copenhagen this afternoon to open the event with an individual time trial. The city route with some twenty bends proved extremely perilous under the driving rain that pelted relentlessly down on the Danish capital. The riders were duly cautious over the 13.2 km stage. It was Edvald Boasson-Hagen who recorded the best time of the team, finishing 55 seconds behind the day’s champion Yves Lampaert, from Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl, who claimed the legendary yellow jersey so coveted by the members of the peloton.
“The main thing was to finish the trial without difficulties. Now we can focus on tomorrow’s stage and the rest of the Tour,” said Anthony Turgis after completing the time trial.
Tomorrow, the Tour de France gets off to a real start with a 202 km flat stage along the Danish coast.
