Harry Tanfield takes surprise breakaway win on Tour de Yorkshire 2018 stage one
Yorkshireman's power brings success after nail biting final
In a huge surprise, Harry Tanfield took advantage of a lack of cohesion from the peloton to become the first Briton to win a stage of the Tour de Yorkshire on stage one of the 2018 race.
Tanfield used his huge power to surge past his remaining breakaway companions, finishing with time to sit up and enjoy the victory ahead of Alistair Slater (JLT-Condor) and Mike Cuming (Madison-Genesis) in second and third place respectively.
>>> Kirsten Wild takes her second Doncaster win at Tour de Yorkshire women’s race
The win gives the 23-year-old Canyon-Eisberg rider, Tanfield, the leader's blue jersey with three seconds lead from Slater.
With the gap steady at around 30 seconds in the final five kilometres, a breakaway victory had been in the balance, but the five riders maintained their collective composure, only finessing as they entered the closing two kilometres.
Indeed, it was Tanfield who began the games, dropping off the back off the group in an effort to miss a turn. Though others did not allow that to happen, as the peloton finally closed in he found himself in the perfect place to wind up his huge gear, sprinting in the saddle before raising his arms in success.
How it happened
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
A tailwind on the wide roads out of Beverley ensured a frantic start, the domestic and Pro-Continental teams desperately trying to form alliances and get up the road.
After 10km a group of six managed to build a gap of 20s and while some in the peloton were unhappy, this was the day's break.
Eventually, with 30km of the 182km stage to Doncaster behind them, the six riders had established a lead of over five minutes.
Tanfield, Slater and Cuming were joined by Tom Baylis (One Pro Cycling), Axel Journiaux (Direct Energie) and Emerson Oronte (Rally), the sextet working flawlessly to maintain their advantage. Behind, as the race turned away from the North Sea coast, Sunweb and Vital Concept, riding for Bryan Coquard, came to the front.
Now battling a decent headwind, the breakaway struggled to maintain their advantage, and it finally settled at around 4-30, with Mark Cavendish's Dimension Data helping out behind.
Cuming booked his place with Tanfield on the Doncaster podium, winning an excellent scrap with Baylis for the stage's only classified climb at the Côte de Baggaby Hill, thus ensuring he would wear the mountains jersey on Friday's second stage. Immediately afterwards Tanfield himself powered off the front to win the first intermediate sprint at Pocklington, with 79km remaining.
Indeed, after bagging the points and attendant three bonus seconds, it appeared the Yorkshireman was contemplating battling on alone, though discretion proved the better part of valour, and he rejoined his fellow escapees.
With all the day's hills behind them, the six-man break ploughed on, their lead being slowly eroded as the headwind took its toll. When Slater won the second intermediate sprint at Howden, the breakaway led the bunch by 3-12.
With 37km to go, and in an effort to enliven the race in cross winds on the flat, open landscape, Sunweb suddenly upped the pace, their efforts assisted by Vital Concept. While the work was in vain, the brief period of action ate further into the breakaway's lead, the gap dropping below two minutes and the chances of a bunch sprint increased.
However, even when Frenchman Journiaux was unable to stay with the pace, the break proved more stubborn than the bunch had anticipated, and sensing the impending upset, more teams were forced to come to the front, Dimension Data adding personnel and Sky committing two of their six man team.
As the race entered its final 10km the breakaway were still more than one minute ahead, and with Vital Concept playing a cagey and ultimately fruitless game for their leader Coquard, the stage was set for a remarkable final.
Tanfield may well struggle to keep his leader's jersey after tomorrow's stage, the first summit finish in the race's four year history. The 149km race starts in Barnsley, finishing 149km later at the top of the famous Cow and Calf climb just outside Ilkley.
Results
Tour de Yorkshire 2018, stage one: Beverley - Doncaster (182km)
1. Harry Tanfield (GBr) Canyon-Eisberg in 4-08-12
2. Alistair Slater (GBr) JLT-Condor
3. Mike Cuming (GBr) Madison-Genesis
4. Emerson Oronte (USA) Rally all at same time
5. Tom Baylis (GBr) One Pro at .05
6. Max Walscheid (Ger) Sunweb
7. Bryan Coquard (Fra) Vital Concept
8. Emils Liepins (Lat) One Pro
9. Colin Joyce (USA) Rally
10. Riccardo Minali (Ita) Astana all at same time
General classification after stage one
1. Harry Tanfield (GBr) Canyon-Eisberg in 4-07-58
2. Alistair Slater (GBr) JLT-Condor, at 03s
3. Mike Cuming (GBr) Madison-Genesis, at 10s
4. Emerson Oronte (USA) Rally, at 14s
5. Tom Baylis (GBr) One Pro, at same time
6. Max Walscheid (Ger) Sunweb, at 19s
7. Bryan Coquard (Fra) Vital Concept
8. Emils Liepins (Lat) One Pro
9. Colin Joyce (USA) Rally
10. Riccardo Minali (Ita) Astana, all at same time
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Owen Rogers is an experienced journalist, covering professional cycling and specialising in women's road racing. He has followed races such as the Women's Tour and Giro d'Italia Donne, live-tweeting from Women's WorldTour events as well as providing race reports, interviews, analysis and news stories. He has also worked for race teams, to provide post race reports and communications.
-
I'm about to turn 40 - how can I keep riding fast?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
By Charlie Graham-Dixon Published
-
Life Time Grand Prix to have fewer riders and wild cards in 2025
The flagship US gravel series has confirmed the six races that will be a part of the competition next year
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tour de Yorkshire to be replaced with new look cycling event in 2024
Tour de Yorkshire not due to return to north of England, although initial plans announced for new cycling event in area
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Fans react to Tour de Yorkshire cancellation
The announcement has seen disappointment, anger and blame in the comments
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Tour de Yorkshire will not take place in 2022
Covid-19, uncertainties and escalating financial costs meant that the race could not continue
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Tour de Yorkshire secures possible £600,000 investment in taxpayer money to secure event's future
The thrilling race has been in doubt due to financial difficulties, an expenses scandal, and the coronavirus pandemic
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Tour de Yorkshire 2021 has been postponed
The Tour de Yorkshire 2021 has been postponed, the race organisers have announced.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Tour de Yorkshire under threat as organiser requests bail-out
The Tour de Yorkshire is under threat as the organisers are seeking a financial bail-out.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Tour de Yorkshire route 2020: full route revealed
Everything you need to know about the four-day race
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
'A case of when not if' the Tour de France returns to Yorkshire
Welcome to Yorkshire are also still in talks with the Vuelta a España to bring the Spanish race to Britain
By Jonny Long Published