Super Kristoff seals yellow

Alexander Kristoff was the fastest in the first stage of the Tour de France, hitting a fantastic double with a stage victory and sealing the yellow jersey.

The 156 km of the inaugural stage of the Gran Boucle were characterized by numerous crashes due to the heavy rain that featured throughout the entire race. The group moved cautiously along the descents of the course, only to put the hammer down again in the final 20 km.

In Nice, on the final straight, Kristoff unleashed his power with a perfectly timed sprint, where he overtook Mads Pedersen (Trek – Segafredo) and Cees Bol (Team Sunweb).

Today’s victory gives UAE Team Emirates their first ever yellow jersey. It will be the first time in yellow also for Kristoff, his fourth career success at the Tour (his last win at the Grand Boucle dates back to the final stage of the 2018 edition).

Alexander Kristoff: “It’s a dream to wear the yellow jersey, I don’t think you can ask for anything better. The team came here to aim for the General Classification and some sprint stages. I was hoping, but I didn’t think I would win so early . Today I was riding well and I was able to give my best on the final straight, realizing that I was in the frame for a win. I stayed in the wheels for a while, coming out on the right in the final and, when I realized it was the right moment, I pushed hard. In the past few months I haven’t been able to give my best and I also crashed at the European Championships, so being here celebrating is a great feeling.”

Tomorrow Kristoff will face the second stage in yellow, 186 km starting and finishing in Nice. The hilly route features the Col de la Colomiane, Col de Turini, Col d’Eze and Col des Quatres Chemins.

Stage 1 Results:

1. Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirate) 3h46’23 “

2. Mads Pedersen (Trek – Segafredo) s.t.

3. Cees Bol (Team Sunweb) s.t.

General classification after Stage 1:

1. Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirate) 3h46’13 “

2. Mads Pedersen (Trek – Segafredo) @ 4 ″

3. Cees Bol (Team Sunweb) @ 6 ″