Tour de France 2007

[TommyBB]

They're out on the course for stage 2 right now, from Dunkirk to Ghent.
Yesterday's stage was a lovely ride from London, through Kent, to Canterbury.

Phil Ligget's report:

Originally Posted by Phil Ligget

Stage One Report


By Phil Liggett
July 8, 2007

Great Britain completed its two pages of Tour de France history with a magnificent stage of the Tour de France from the heart of London to the cathedral city of Canterbury. It was only fitting that David Millar from Scotland pulled on the first Polka Dot jersey as leader of the King of the Mountains – the last time this happened was when Robert Millar (no relation) won this competition in 1984.

It was a faultless organization from the magnificent weather to the near three million spectators along the way. Television – including Versus – gave the occasion magnificent coverage from start to finish on both days.

Spare a thought – why should you! – for the commentators, as Paul Sherwen and I spoke for six hours with, unlike the riders on screen, no space for a toilet break and certainly no chance of having lunch!

But the time flies because there was so much to talk about. I was very proud to be British today as the crowds brought us scenes so reminiscent of the days ahead in the Alps or the Pyrenees.

Spare a thought, too for Mark Cavendish, 22 and in his first Tour. A collision with spectator at the worst stage of the race and he was left to trail home third from last instead of sprinting it out with another crash victim Robbie MacEwen, winner of a remarkable stage.

Robbie MacEwen wasn't even visible with 200 yards to go, then came out and took the sprint at the finish.

• Stage 01 Results
  1. Robbie MC EWEN
  2. Thor HUSHOVD
  3. Tom BOONEN
  4. Sébastien CHAVANEL
  5. Romain FEILLU

• Overall Leaders
  1. Fabian CANCELLARA
  2. Andréas KLÖDEN
  3. David MILLAR
  4. George HINCAPIE
  5. Bradley WIGGINS
  Other notables:
  28 111 LEIPHEIMER, Levi USA DSC 04:48:31.000 00:00:40.000
  54 061 MOREAU, Christophe FRA A2R 04:48:40.000 00:00:49.000
  55 046 MC EWEN, Robbie AUS PRL 04:48:40.000 00:00:49.000
  73 037 VANDEVELDE, Christian USA CSC 04:48:44.000 00:00:53.000