Romain Bardet's Triumphant Start at Tour de France 2024
Romain Bardet, the 33-year-old French cyclist from the DSM-Firmenich PostNL team, has made a spectacular start to his final Tour de France. Bardet, who has announced his retirement for June 2025, won the first stage of the 2024 Tour de France on Saturday. This victory was made even more special as he donned the coveted yellow jersey for the first time in his career. Bardet's remarkable performance saw him break away from the peloton with 50 kilometers to go, finishing just ahead of his teammate Frank Van den Broek.
A Historic Win for Bardet
Bardet's win is a significant milestone, as he is the first Frenchman to wear the yellow jersey since Julian Alaphilippe in 2021. His fourth stage victory in the Tour, Bardet previously finished second in the general classification in 2016 and third in 2017. This victory was a dream come true for Bardet, who admitted he had almost given up on ever wearing the yellow jersey. He credited his teammate Van den Broek for his support during the race, stating, 'He pulled me on the flat to the end, he's really a great talent.'
The Race Dynamics and Challenges
The first stage of the Tour de France 2024 was grueling, with several favorites struggling to keep up. The climb of Barbotto proved particularly challenging, causing many to fall behind. Despite the tough conditions, Bardet and Van den Broek managed to maintain their lead, with Bardet ultimately winning the stage. The duo's effort was a testament to their incredible stamina and teamwork. The stage also saw the first fall of the race, with Jan Hirt of Soudal-Quick Step suffering a severe crash before the start. Several other riders, including Michele Gazzoli and Mark Cavendish, faced difficulties on the Tuscan roads.
- Van den Broek, the 23-year-old Dutch cyclist, expressed his amazement at their victory, saying, 'I have no words. When I saw the gap with the peloton during the last climb of the day, I said to myself that it could do it. It was very hard the last few meters, I saw the peloton chasing us, my legs hurt so much.'
- The general classification after the first stage has Bardet in the lead, followed closely by Van den Broek and Wout van Aert. The points ranking sees Van den Broek in the lead, with Bardet close behind. The race for the best young rider is also led by Van den Broek, showcasing his potential as a future star in cycling.
- The first stage's intensity and the challenges faced by the cyclists set the tone for what promises to be an exciting Tour de France. With Bardet and Van den Broek's impressive performances, the DSM-Firmenich PostNL team has made a strong statement at the start of the race.
