Peter Sagan of Team Liquigas-Cannondale won his first career Tour de France stage on Sunday, winning a sprint finish over yellow jersey holder Fabian Cancellara (Radioshack-Nissan) and Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky). Cancellara made a break for the finish line with 1.5km left in the race, but Sagan was able to stick with him and then easily came around to take the sprint victory.
A breakaway rode out in front for much of the day, but Team Radioshack was vigilent in preserving Cancellara's lead and reeled them back in with 9km left in the race. There was no change in the top five in the General Classification.
Defending champion Cadel Evans stayed out of trouble for the day, avoiding any crashes and holding his place in the GC. Other riders weren't so lucky: Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) crashed early in the stage, leaving him struggling to say with the bunch throughout the day. Four more riders went down with a little more than 20km to go, including Luis Leon Sanchez (Rabobank).
The General Classification after Stage 1:
1) Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack-Nissan) 5:05:32
2) Bradley Wiggins (Sky Procycling) +:07
3) Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) +:07
4) Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing Team) +:10
5) Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky Procycling) +:11
6) Denis Menchov (Katusha Team) +:13
7) Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing Team) +:13
8) Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team) +:17
9) Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) +:18
10) Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin - Sharp) +:18
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