Gilbert takes opener as Contador loses time

Philip Gilbert took the opening stage of the 2011 Tour de France, with a stunning final sprint, while Alberto Contador lost over a minute.

Gilbert made it made it past a crash, which took out half the field in the final eight kilometres, to set himself up for the short climb to the line. The Belgian champion looked like he’d run out of steam as several riders made their challenge. Fabian Cancellara launched an attack, which seemed to be the decisive one, but the Swiss rider wasn’t able to sustain the pace.

Gilbert didn’t panic and held off a closing Cadel Evans and Thor Hushovd, for the victory, this win adds to his stretch which goes back to April. Evans is in a very good position, only three seconds down on the yellow, while Alberto Contador lost over 1 minute 20 seconds.

The bunch had been seriously depleted when a spectator got a bit too close to the peloton, causing an Astana rider to fall into the group. The crash left most of the road blocked and several of the big favourites stranded. Contador was one of those who got caught up in the crash and has his work cut out, with Andy Schleck crossing the line only six seconds down.

Europcar controlled the last 15 kilometres or so, the team coming from this region, in order to get Thomas Voeckler to the front. However, their hard work didn’t pay off, with Voeckler unable to convert the effort in to a victory and coming in six seconds down with the main bunch.

Team Sky’s day was mixed, with Geraint Thomas coming in forth, but their main general classiment hope, Bradley Wiggins, was caught up in a second crash. Another incident took down Wiggins, in the final three kilometres, but the Brit will not lose any time. Sky are hot favourites for the team time-trial, which could put Thomas in the lead. The former British champion will start stage two in the young rider’s jersey.

Organisers decided to forgo the traditional time-trial start and begin the 2011 tour with a 191km ride from Passage du Gois to Mont des Alouettes. It seems the decision paid off, with a frantic finish proving to be a great watch. Tomorrow’s team time-trial could mellow the mood a little, but with the GC already split it could make or break a few tours.