When the course of the 2016 Tour de France was announced back in October, a flat first stage in Normandy meant that several sprinters received the unique chance to capture the race leader’s yellow jersey at Utah Beach.
A few weeks earlier, Etixx-QuickStep manager Patrick Lefevere signed German powerhouse Marcel Kittel, who was looking for a new team after a very difficult 2015 season. The then-27-year-old German rider replaced Mark Cavendish as top sprinter at the Belgian team. Kittel rediscovered his fast legs, and at the Tour de France he was expected to deliver again after missing out in 2015. It wasn’t to be on Saturday, however, as Kittel was beaten at Utah Beach by Cavendish (Dimension Data).
Kittel was humble in defeat and congratulated Cavendish with his win. “It’s not a surprise that Cav is so fast. He’s still one of the world’s fastest sprinters. I really respect him. He did a great sprint today. It’s no shame to lose against him,” Kittel said.
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At the finish line, a few steps away from Utah Beach it was clear that Lefevre was a disappointed man. “This was a unique opportunity that doesn’t come back. The whole year we were hoping for today but it wasn’t to be,” Lefevre said.
Kittel was obviously also disappointed. “We should’ve finished first, not second,” Kittel said. “I had to start the sprint a bit too early but it’s not the end of the world and certainly not the end the chances for us at the Tour de France.”
After passing through some turns in Sainte-Marie-Du-Mont, the final kilometres of the opening stage were slightly downhill with a strong tailwind blowing the peloton at high speed towards Utah Beach. The passage of the village turned out to have ruined the chances of the Etixx-QuickStep team.
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