Velochimp: Astrochimp on Cycling

(AFP/Pascal Pavani)

Alejandro Valverde wasted no time in taking the Yellow Jersey during the Tour de France’s first stage today. The Tour started with a road stage for the first time since 1967. The very open Giro like Tour featured a tough final kilometer that brought all of the main contenders to the front and left the sprinters behind. The first road stage without a Yellow Jersey was not as nervous or crash filled as usual. Mauricio Soler was the only major victim of the carnage as he lost about two minutes to Valverde after a crash. Most of the peloton finished with the same time.

Riccardo Ricco was in fifth place today showing he has some good form to at least contend the numerous middle difficulty stages that dot the Tour route this year. Cadel Evans was up near the front more than likely shadowing Valverde so as not to give up too much time.

The final kilometer was as action packed as a finish of Amstel Gold race with the tough finish. Kim Kirchen took advantage of a Team Columbia leadup that featured Adam Hansen pushing 800 watts at the front of the peloton to get his teammate into position. Kirchen’s move had a glimmer of hope until Valverde rocketed up to Kirchen’s back wheel. Valverde took a moment and then sligshot his way to the front leaving a sizable gap to second place Phillipe Gilbert.

Now that Valverde has the Yellow, the question is will the team defend it, and if so for how long. Valverde may be riding a peak form right now, but the final week features some brutal climbing, can Valverde keep it up to the end?