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Stage 1Rouen - Forges les-Eaux 192km |
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A completely new stage across the "Haute Normandie" region, that of rural novelist Guy de Maupassant. This warm-up stage without any testing difficulty takes the peloton from the "museum city,' immortalized by Jeanne d'Arc, to one of the spas closest to Paris. A nice place to stay in the "Bray" area. In the past, it was known for its earthenware and its forges, as its name indicates, but now it's better known for its casino and its ferruginous water, recommended as a treatment against anemia. The first days in the Tour de France are usually quite nervous. The sprinters will want to win a stage as soon as possible, which is also good for team morale. There are some small climbs in the stage. The 8-m wide finish line is situated on the avenue des Sources, at the end of a 300-m straight line following a descent. The famous sprinters are the favorites; Zabel, Moncassin, Cipollini, Blijlevens, Steels, Baldato, Minali and some others. Stage 1 Result 1. Mario Cippolini (Ita) Saeco 4.39:59 2. Tom Steels (Bel) Mapei 3. Frederic Moncassin (Fra) Gan 4. Erik Zabel (Ger) Telekom 5. Robbie McEwen (Aus) Rabo 6. Nicolas Jalabert (Fra) Cofidis Other Famous riders 17. Abraham Olano (Spa) Banesto 22. Laurent Jalabert (Fra) ONCE 35. Chris Boardman (Gbr) Gan 39. Richard Virenque (Fra) Festina 41. Luttenberger (Aut) Rabobank 44. Ullrich (Ger) Telekom 54 Tony Rominger (Sui) Cofidis 69 Laurent Dufaux (Sui) Festina at 0.58m 86. Bjarne Riis (Dk) Telekom 91. Ivan Gotti (Ita) Saeco 102. Marco Pantani (ita) Mercatone ??? Luc Leblanc (Fra) Polti at 1.35m 126. Alex Zulle (Sui) ONCE |