Tour de France 2016 Stage 1: Cav powers to yellow jersey!

At 188 kilometres, stage 1 of the Tour de France runs from Mont Saint-Michel to Utah Beach. As expected, the race boils down to a bunch sprint. Mark Cavendish bests Kittel and Sagan to power to the first yellow jersey in La Grande Boucle 2016. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 1st stage Tour de France

1. Mark Cavendish (gbr)
2. Marcel Kittel (ger) s.t.
3. Peter Sagan (svk) s.t.
4. André Greipel (ger) s.t.
5. Edward Theuns (bel) s.t.
6. Christophe Laporte (fra) s.t.
7. Bryan Coquard (fra) s.t.
8. Alexander Kristoff (nor) s.t.
9. Daniel McLay (gbr) s.t.
10. Greg Henderson (nzl) s.t.

13. Warren Barguil (fra) s.t.
25. Chris Froome (gbr) s.t.
30. Nairo Quintana (col) s.t.
33. Alejandro Valverde (spa) s.t.
40. Richie Porte (aus) s.t.
44. Fabio Aru (ita) s.t.
49. Tom Dumoulin (nld) s.t.
54. Daniel Martin (irl) s.t.
68. Tejay van Garderen (usa) s.t.
73. Wilco Kelderman (nld) s.t.
86. Alberto Contador (spa) s.t.
107. Bauke Mollema (nld) s.t.
175. Geraint Thomas (gbr) s.t.

GC after the 1st stage
1. Mark Cavendish (gbr)
2. Marcel Kittel (ger) + 0.04
3. Peter Sagan (svk) + 0.06
4. André Greipel (ger) + 0.10
5. Edward Theuns (bel) s.t.
6. Christophe Laporte (fra) s.t.
7. Bryan Coquard (fra) s.t.
8. Alexander Kristoff (nor) s.t.
9. Daniel McLay (gbr) s.t.
10. Greg Henderson (aus) s.t.

Race report
Once the flag is dropped Barta, Howard and Voss escape. Without respite they race to a lead at over 4 minutes. While Delaplace and Howes try to bridge the gap, Voss goes solo while climbing for the first KOM point.

Paul Voss takes one point and he powers on to take one more point at the top of the next climb, thus the 30-year old German will wear the polka dot jersey tomorrow. Behind him Barta and Howard were accompanied by Delaplace and Howard and in the drop it is back to five at the front of the race.

Following a section with strong winds the front group is within reach when Contador hits the tarmac. A moment later Thomas punctures. The peloton waits for them and the leaders stay ahead, albeit with a small advantage. Voss is the first to be dropped, then Howard and Barte.

For tens of kilometres Delaplace and Howes lead the peloton by almost 1 minute until they are reeled in with 4 kms left. The pack powers on to the line for a bunch sprint that is won by Mark Cavendish after perfect timing.