Historic day for Italy with the first time of a start of the Tour de France in the Bel Paese. First stage from Florence to Rimini with almost 4000 meters of altitude difference, we expected more battle between the big names, instead it was a great pathos until the end which rewarded dsm-firmenich PostNL’s enterprise who managed to triumph as a couple. Romain Bardet winsat his last Grande Boucle, which not only takes the stage success but also takes advantage of the first Yellow Jersey a majestic work by the young Frank van den Broek.
After an initial phase full of shots, he formed himself in front a group of seven runners: Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious), Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ), Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Clément Champoussin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), Frank van den Broek (dsm-firmenich PostNL), Sandy Dujardin and Mattéo Verchers (TotalEner) . Behind them thanks to a nice counterattack were able to return from the group also managed to return from the group also Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) and Ryan Gibbons (Lidl-Trek).
Nine (then eight, with Vercher immediately detached) men in command who gave themselves regular changes managing a margin of about 4′ on the group led mainly by the EF Education – EasyPost of Alberto Bettiol. Subsequently also the teams of the men in the standings appeared in front with the usual UAE Emirates setting the pace. As the kilometers pass the group was halved, with several illustrious victims: the first to give up was a clearly struggling Mark Cavendish, then gradually all the other sprinters, Mathieu van der Poel and Santiago Buitrago.
The first (and practically only) to sprint into the main platoon was Romain Bardet (dsm-firmenich PostNL) 50 kilometers from the finish line, who with his attack returned to the top of the race, staying together with his companion van den Broek. Subsequently on San Leo it was Ben Healy’s turn (EF Education – EasyPost) who, however, perhaps made a mistake in his timing, still remaining within the order of a minute of the pair in the lead. The Irishman was therefore taken back by the group and started shooting with his team which was also joined by Lidl-Trek and Visma | Lease a Bike.
Spectacular battle in the last 15 kilometers between the two leaders and the platoon launched behind them: the group could do nothing and Bardet arrived together with van den Broek, while the best were regulated by Wout van Aert on Tadej Pogacar. Tenth place for Alberto Bettiol.
