VALVERDE WINS STAGE ONE OF TOUR DE FRANCE

alejandro valverde tour de france 2008 stage 1
(Image credit: WATSON)

Alejandro Valverde has become the first leader of the 2008 Tour de France after a powerful late attack on the final climb of the opening stage to Plumelec.

The Caisse d'Epargne leader charged past Columbia's team leader Kim Kirchen for his first stage win in the Tour since a summit finish victory in the Alps ahead of Lance Armstrong in 2005. Philippe Gilbert (Francaise Des Jeux) was second on the day of his 26th birthday one second behind Valverde, with Jerome Pineau (Bouygues Telecom) third.

As expected the finale of the stage was frighteningly fast as rider fought for position before the climb to the finish. The high pace and twisting Breton roads caused a split in the bunch when Colombian Juan Mauricio Soler (Barloworld) hit the deck. Then after a breakneck descent to a narrow bridge, Agritubel's Roman Feillu opened up the late attacks on the final 1.7 kilometre Cote de Cadoudal.

Tomorrow's stage in another lumpy affair, starting in Auray and finishing 164.5km later in Saint Brieuc in northern Brittany. You can read more information in our online stage guide.

TOUR DE FRANCE 2008: STAGE 1 RESULTS
1. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 197.5km in 4h 36m 07secs

10. Oscar Pereiro (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne all same time.

Alejandro Valverde Tour de France 2008

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 1
1. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne

2. Philippe Gilbert (Fra) FDJeux at 1 sec

3. Jerome Pineau (Fra) Bouygues Telecom

4. Kim Kirchen (Lux) Columbia

5. Riccardo Ricco (Ita) Saunier Duval

6. Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence-Lotto

7. Frank Schleck (Lux) CSC-Saxo Bank

8. Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Liquigas

9. Oscar Freire (Spa) Rabobank

10. Oscar Pereiro (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne all same time.

British

11. David Millar (GB) Garmin-Chipotle at 1sec

120. Mark Cavendish (GB) Columbia at 2m 0secs

174. Chris Froome (GB) Barloworld at 4m 4secs

Tour de France 2008

Mark Cavendish on stage one

Tour de France 2008

One of several crashes on stage one

Tour de France 2008

The bunch wind up the pace to catch the break

Tour de France 2008

Alejandro Valverde wins stage one, and gets a jersey to match his bike (photo by Luc Claessen)

Tour de France 2008

Philippe Gilbert crosses the line in second place (photo by Luc Claessen)

Photos by Graham Watson, unless otherwise stated

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TOUR DE FRANCE 2008: STAGE REPORTS

Stage one: Valverde wins

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TOUR DE FRANCE 2008: NEWS

Millar happy after gainins precious seconds in Plumelec

Valverde delighted with opening Tour stage win

Comment: Is Valverde's win a good thing for the Tour?

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TOUR DE FRANCE 2008: PHOTOS

Stage one

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TOUR DE FRANCE 2008: GUIDE

Tour de France 2008 homepage>>

News and features>>

Route & stages>>

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About the Tour>>

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