The biggest race in cycling has finally arrived in 2019, as riders kicked off the 106th edition of the Tour de France from Brussels.
The 194-kilometer route through Belgium set the stage for the 3-week race, with a typical flat and fast day one. Sprinters were out, hoping to take victory on the opening day, with riders including Peter Sagan, Dylan Groenewegen, Elia Viviani, Caleb Ewan, Alexander Kristoff, Michael Matthews, and Sonny Colbrelli all expected to be in the running for the stage victory.
Crashes in the final 20 kilometers of the race took out many favorites to contend for the victory, including Groenewegen, Jakob Fugelsang, and last year's overall tour victory Geraint Thomas. With the crash of Groenewegen before the final kilometer, the Jumbo-Visma cycling team needed a replacement to contend for the sprint finish to capture stage victory.
Mike Teunissen, the 26-year-old Dutch rider, proved to be the perfect fill in for Groenewegen, as he was able to separate from the pack and edge out Peter Sagan at the line by less than half a tire's length to emerge victorious on the day. Caleb Ewan from the Lotto-Soudal team was able to finish third, with Giacomo Nizollo of the Dimension Data squad taking fourth, and Bahrain-Merida rider Sonny Colbrelli crossing the line in fifth.
Teunissen will wear the maillot jaune going into stage 2, while also holding claim to the green jersey as the point leader. Caleb Ewan will hold the title of best young rider, and Greg Van Avermaet of CCC Cyling Team tied with Xandro Meurisse of Wanty-Groupe Gobert tied for the King of the Mountains.
Stage 2 will be a 27.6-kilometer long team time-trial also in Brussels. Team Ineos will begin the day as the first team out of the blocks.
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