Newcomer Sagan makes immediate mark with first Tour de France win
July 1, 2012 — Updated 1658 GMT (0058 HKT)
Peter Sagan of Slovakia crosses the line ahead of the yellow jersey of Fabian Cancellara on the first stage of the 2012 Tour de France.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Peter Sagan wins first stage of the Tour de France
- Slovakian outsprinted Fabian Cancellara and Edvald Boasson Hagen
- Cancellara keeps race leader’s yellow jersey
- Pre-race favorite Bradley Wiggins remains in second place
(CNN) — Peter Sagan of Slovakia marked his debut in the Tour de France by winning the first stage of this year’s race in Seraing Sunday.
The 22-year-old Liquigas rider underlined his reputation as the rising star of the peloton by outsprinting Fabian Cancellara and Edvald Boasson Hagen of Norway after a tough uphill finish to the 198km stage from Liege.
Swiss Cancellara kept the race leader’s yellow jersey he claimed after winning the opening prologue Saturday.
Pre-race favorite Bradley Wiggins of Team Sky finished in a whittled down bunch given the same time as the leading three, which also included defending champions Cadel Evans of Australia.
The globalization of the Tour de France
My legs were feeling better today. I want to thank my tea
1000
mmates, they did a lot of good work in the last kilometers
Peter Sagan
A series of crashes and incidents involving errant spectators made for a difficult finish to the stage for the 198 riders.
After the early breakaway was caught on the outskirts of Seraing, the pace went up as riders made their bid for stage glory.
Sylvain Chavanel of France, who took third in the prologue in Liege behind Cancellara and Wiggins, made an initial attack, but it was RadioShack’s Cancellara who split the field.
Sagan reacted immediately to join him at the front before Team Sky’s Boasson Hagen bridged the gap.
Showing a coolness which belied his inexperience, Sagan timed his final burst perfectly to cross the line with his arms raised in triumph.
He came into the Tour as the favorite to claim the green points jersey, having won five of the eight stages of this year’s Tour of California and shown his versatility in other races.
But it is his first appearance in cycling’s most famous competition and his early victory will put him under the media spotlight.
“I’m very happy, especially after yesterday’s incident at the prologue,” said Sagan, referring to losing time when his cycling shoe slipped out of his clip-in pedals.
“My legs were feeling better today. I want to thank my teammates, they did a lot of good work in the last kilometers.”
Monday’s stage takes the riders from Vise to Tournai over 207.5km and is expected to favor sprinters such as Britain’s Mark Cavendish, who has won 20 stages of the Tour de France.
24c
214
245
122
Part of complete coverage on
May 31, 2012 — Updated 1117 GMT (1917 HKT)
Reza Beluchi has been running all his life, running for freedom, running for peace. He ran away from his homeland, Iran, and has traveled the world.
May 4, 2012 — Updated 1532 GMT (2332 HKT)
The Kentucky Derby is America’s most iconic horse racing event. Few meetings capture the spirit of a nation quite like the “Run for the Roses.”
May 3, 2012 — Updated 1436 GMT (2236 HKT)
The sad death of legendary linebacker Junior Seau is nothing new for the remaining members of the 1994 San Diego Chargers.
May 3, 2012 — Updated 1608 GMT (0008 HKT)
If Barcelona’s players were driven to tears by their shock Champions League exit, they at least have pocketfuls of cash to ease the pain.
May 2, 2012 — Updated 1320 GMT (2120 HKT)
From the boisterous crowds of stadia to a noisy assembly of mostly politicians, India’s cricket legend Sachin Te
1000
ndulkar faces a new test.
May 2, 2012 — Updated 1715 GMT (0115 HKT)
Michael Matz has spent a lifetime working with horses, but he will always be remembered for just one: Barbaro.
April 27, 2012 — Updated 1953 GMT (0353 HKT)
Watching the Charlotte Bobcats stumble around the court this year may make the casual fan wonder who is running this beleagured organization.
April 27, 2012 — Updated 0334 GMT (1134 HKT)
An Afghan who lost both his legs in a landmine explosion is training to swim at the London Paralympics.
March 21, 2012 — Updated 0600 GMT (1400 HKT)
Like St. Augustine’s prayer “God make me chaste – but not yet,” Filipino fighter Manny Pacquiao’s personal talk with God may not lead to his immediate retirement.
March 20, 2012 — Updated 2329 GMT (0729 HKT)
Free agent quarterback Peyton Manning will play for the Denver Broncos, the team have announced.
March 20, 2012 — Updated 1510 GMT (2310 HKT)
India batsman Sachin Tendulkar is looking forward to enjoying cricket after becoming the first player to score 100 international centuries.
March 9, 2012 — Updated 1255 GMT (2055 HKT)
His nickname says it all. After scoring over 13,000 runs in Test cricket during a glittering 16-year career, Rahul Dravid is known simply as “The Wall.”
March 13, 2012 — Updated 1147 GMT (1947 HKT)
In most of Africa, football reigns supreme among sports, but in Senegal wrestling offers young men dreams of fame and fortune.
February 28, 2012 — Updated 1005 GMT (1805 HKT)
The sun is not yet up over the desert, but already 50 horses and riders are gathered at Qatar’s Endurance Village in Al-Wakra, near the capital Doha.
Where does boxing go now after the shameful brawl between David Haye and Dereck Chisora, asks C
1bb
NN’s Alex Thomas?
17f
52
248
b4
6f
169
b9e
Taken from -
Recent Comments