Tour de France 2019: Mike Teunissen sprints to first yellow jersey

Mike Teunissen outguns Peter Sagan on the line in Brussels, while Caleb Ewan finishes in third. Obviously, the Dutch lead-out of Dylan Groenewegen, who crashed in the finale, is the first man in yellow. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 1st stage Tour de France 2019

1. Mike Teunissen (nld)
2. Peter Sagan (svk) s.t.
3. Caleb Ewan (aus) s.t.
4. Giacomo Nizzolo (ita) s.t.
5. Sonny Colbrelli (ita) s.t.
6. Michael Matthews (aus) s.t.
7. Matteo Trentin (ita) s.t.
8. Oliver Naesen (bel) s.t.
9. Elia Viviani (ita) s.t.
10. Jasper Stuyven (bel) s.t.

GC after stage 1
1. Mike Teunissen (nld)
2. Peter Sagan (svk) + 0.04
3. Caleb Ewan (aus) + 0.06
4. Giacomo Nizzolo (ita) + 0.10
5. Sonny Colbrelli (ita) s.t.
6. Michael Matthews (aus) s.t.
7. Matteo Trentin (ita) s.t.
8. Oliver Naesen (bel) s.t.
9. Elia Viviani (ita) s.t.
10. Jasper Stuyven (bel) s.t.

Race report
Shortly after the start Van Avermaet attacks with Meurisse, Würtz Schmidt and Berhane. They tackle the Wall of Geraardsbergen 4 minutes ahead of the peloton. Van Avermaet reaches the infamous chapel at the summit ahead of Meurisse, who is the first rider at the Bosberg.

The Olympic Champion, who sits up to wait for the peloton, receives the first polka dot jersey on the podium in Brussels.

Just before the intermediate sprint, with 70 kilometres to go, the other three attackers are reeled in. Sagan pockets 20 points ahead of Colbrelli and Van Avermaet.

Rossetto strikes 58 kilometres from the finish and he opens up a gap of almost 2 minutes, while GC favourite Fuglsang hits the deck with 17 kilometres to go. The Dane rejoins the peloton after a 5 kilometres chase.

Rossetto is reeled in 9 kilometres before the finish, while pre-race favourite Groenewegen goes down inside the last 1.5 kilometres.

Matthews opens the sprint before Sagan overhauls him. Colbrelli and Ewan also put pressure, but eventually Teunissen makes the decisive jumps. Groenewegen’s lead-out is the surprise winner of the 1st stage on the Tour de France.

Another interesting read: route 1st stage 2019 Tour de France.