Tour De France 2024: Romain Bardet Wins Yellow Jersey On Opening Stage - In Pics

Two-time podium finisher Romain Bardet won the opening stage of the Tour de France and claimed the yellow jersey for the first time on Saturday. Combined with severe heat, one of the most challenging opening legs in recent memory created problems for Mark Cavendish and many other riders as cycling’s biggest race began in Italy for the first time. Tadej Pogacar, who is aiming to follow up his Giro d’Italia title with a third Tour trophy, and two-time defending champion Jonas Vingegaard both finished safely in the main pack, though. Bardet, the Frenchman who finished second in 2016 and third in 2017 and is racing his last Tour, attacked with slightly more than 50 kilometers (30 miles) to go.

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Updated on: 30 June 2024 2:18 pm

Cycling Tour de France | Photo: AP/Daniel Cole

New overall leader France's Romain Bardet, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, celebrates on the podium after the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 206 kilometers (128 miles) with start in Florence and finish in Rimini, Italy.

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Jonas Abrahamsen wearing the best climber's dotted jersey | Photo: AP/Jerome Delay

Norway's Jonas Abrahamsen, wearing the best climber's dotted jersey, celebrates on the podium after the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 206 kilometers (128 miles) with start in Florence and finish in Rimini, Italy.

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Frank van den Broek wearing the best sprinter's green jersey | Photo: AP/Daniel Cole

Netherlands' Frank van den Broek, wearing the best sprinter's green jersey, celebrates on the podium after the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 206 kilometers (128 miles) with start in Florence and finish in Rimini, Italy.

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France's Romain Bardet crosses the finish line | Photo: AP/Daniel Cole

France's Romain Bardet crosses the finish line to win the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 206 kilometers (128 miles) with start in Florence and finish in Rimini, Italy.

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Romain Bardet, right, crosses the finish line with teammate Netherlands' Frank van den Broek | Photo: AP/Daniel Cole

France's Romain Bardet, right, crosses the finish line with teammate Netherlands' Frank van den Broek, left, to win the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 206 kilometers (128 miles) with start in Florence and finish in Rimini, Italy.

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New overall leader Romain Bardet and teammate Frank van den Broek | Photo: AP/Daniel Cole

New overall leader France's Romain Bardet, second left, and teammate Netherlands' Frank van den Broek, left, manage to stay ahead of the sprinting pack to win the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 206 kilometers (128 miles) with start in Florence and finish in Rimini, Italy.

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First stage Tour de France cycling race | Photo: AP/Jerome Delay

Netherlands' Frank van den Broek sees the pace for the breakaway group, followed by Slovenia's Matej Mohoric, Norway's Jonas Abrahamsen, France's Valentin Madouas and South Africa's Ryan Gibbons, during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 206 kilometers (128 miles) with start in Florence and finish in Rimini, Italy.

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The pack speeds down Col de Valico Tre Faggi | Photo: AP/Jerome Delay

The pack speeds down Col de Valico Tre Faggi during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 206 kilometers (128 miles) with start in Florence and finish in Rimini, Italy.

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Tour de France cycling 2024 | Photo: AP/Jerome Delay

The pack climbs during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 206 kilometers (128 miles) with start in Florence and finish in Rimini, Italy.

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Tour de France cycling first stage | Photo: AP/Jerome Delay

Riders strain to break away from the pack during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 206 kilometers (128 miles) with start in Florence and finish in Rimini, Italy.