Stage One: In Brief

First Attack Of 2006 Tour _ The first bout of action in stage one was instigated by Auge (COF) and Sprick (BTL) at the 3km mark. They were joined shortly after by Vaugrenard (FDJ). At 5km, they were 10” ahead of the peloton. At 9km, three riders – Etxebarria (EUS), Portal (CEI) and Wegmann (GST) – set off in pursuit. At 11km, they were 12” behind while the peloton was at 1’05”. The junction of the two lead groups came at 13km. At the 20km mark the peloton was 4’00” behind. The Credit Agricole squad controlled the peloton but was content to allow the escapees to remain up front. At 29km, the advantage was 4’30”. The average speed for the first hour was 44.0km. The seven leaders cooperated well and maintained a lead of over four minutes. The first sign of aggression came from the virtual leader, Vaugrenard (who began the stage in 31st, 19” behind Hushovd) who sprinted for points in Saverne – claiming the 6pts and 6” bonus. The maximum advantage of the escape was 5’00” (at 56km). _ _ Wegmann Claims Polka-Dot Prize: Sprint Teams Begin Chase… _ On the Cote de Heilingenstein the leaders surged in the hunt for points. Wegmann led Sprick and Etxebarria over the summit. The peloton was 4’25” behind. At the 105km mark, riders from Milram, Quickstep and Davitamon-Lotto came forward to assist Credit Agricole at the head of the peloton. After 125km, the peloton was 3’30” behind; 130km – 2’55”; 132km – 2’30”; 2’15” at 137km… Beneteau claimed first place at the Plobsheim sprint (ahead of Vaugrenard and Sprick). The lead steadily dropped thanks to the efforts of the sprinters’ teams: with 22km to go, the advantage of the escapees dropped below a minute for the first time since the 20km mark. With 20km to go, the seven led by 40”. Beneteau put in a bid for glory with an attack 15km from the finish. The others were caught with 14km to go (while Beneteau’s advantage was 30”). _ _ Hincapie Takes Bonus… And The Yellow Jersey! _ Beneteau held onto a slender lead until the 3rd intermediate sprint. He claimed 1st place points in Kehl and was caught soon after thanks largely to an attack from Hincapie (DSC) who raced ahead to claim time bonuses. The American was beaten by Hushovd’s team-mate Hinault (C.A) for second place but claimed third and two seconds for his effort. It would be enough for him to inherit the yellow jersey… even though he only finished 23rd in the stage. _ _ Casper Claims His First Tour Stage _ After a chaotic lead-up to the final kilometer in which several teams, including Milram, Rabobank, Liquigas and Quickstep, took charge – but only momentarily – Boonen (QSI) took matters into his own hands and led the sprint out after hovering at the head of the peloton from 500m to go. The world champion began his sprint with about 250m remaining but was quickly passed by Casper (COF) who showed a remarkable turn of speed to relegate other more favored sprinters. Hushovd was present in the sprint but his right elbow caught onto something held over the barricade by a specatator and he immediately began bleeding from the wound he sustained. He didn’t contest the sprint.