Romain Bardet takes the yellow jersey in his final Tour de France

The Grand Départ of the Tour de France’s 111th edition in Florence, Italy, led to an exciting day which Romain Bardet won to take the yellow jersey in his final Tour. It’s his fourth career Tour win and first time in yellow. Wout van Aert was third and Tadej Pogačar was fourth, while Derek Gee came 14th. Mark Cavendish had a tough day, exhibiting illness on the first of seven climbs.

The Course

Stage 1 traveled northeast to Rimini on the Adriatic Sea. Seven climbs were on offer over 206 km, and the final four climbs promised early action. The fifth ascent, Côte de San Leo, was short but steep. The penultimate climb of Côte de Montemaggio was a little less arduous, and the final challenge, Cat. 3 Côte de San Marino, crested 26 km from the line. The final 16 km were flat. It was a hot day.

One of the hardest Tour de France opening stages in history!

The #TDF2024 starts with a 206km stage from Firenze to Rimini, which will see the peloton take on seven classified climbs, the last of these inside the final 30 kilometers. pic.twitter.com/PoDQmPyAFH

— Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team (@soudalquickstep) June 29, 2024

An oddly-large breakaway for a Grand Tour opening stage established itself on the first climb of the day, Cat. 2 Col de Valico Tre Faggi, with Ion Izagirre taking the maximum KOM points out of the octet.

Mark Cavendish, still trying to own the Tour stage win record outright, was having a terrible opening stage, 3:30 behind the peloton at the crest of that first climb. His team tried to help him.

By Climb 2, Côte des Forche, the EF Education-Easypost-led peloton was +4:00 behind the breakaway. Cofidis’ Izagirre scored more points. At the 111st edition’s first intermediate sprint, Jasper Philipsen claimed the ninth-most points.

The day’s longest climb was the third, Côte de Carnaio. The Carnaio streamlined the breakaway. Izagirre was first over once more.

Côte de Barbotto was the middle climb. The race had received its first abandon, Cavendish’s teammate Michele Gazzoli, by then. UAE-Emirates grabbed the front of the peloton, putting everyone on edge. In short order, Groupama-FDJ’s French favorites Lenny Martinez and David Gaudu were dropped, as was world champion Mathieu van der Poel. Up front, Izagirre was popped from the breakaway, so fugitive Jonas Abrahamsen took over the KOM lead on the road.