Cycling: Tour Of Duty As Valverde Is Brest Man

Jul 6 2008

ALEJANDRO VALVERDE laid down a marker by winning the first stage of the Tour de France.

The 28-year-old Spaniard, one of the favourites to win the marathon cycling event, broke away from the pack at the end of a 122.7-mile ride from Brest to Plumelec.

Valverde, the Caisse d'Epargne star, crossed the line in 4hrs, 36 secs to claim the yellow jersey after a storming finish.

He trailed well behind Kim Kirchen of Luxembourg on the final bend but hunted him down over the last 200 metres and flew past.

Belgium's Philippe Gilbert (Francaise des Jeux) and Frenchman Jerome Pineau of Bouygues Telecom also overtook the Luxembourg rider to complete the top three.

Australia's Cadel Evans, the race favourite, was given the same time in fourth as was Scot David Millar who finished 11th.

Herve Duclos-Lassalle of France was the first rider in the 180-man pack to quit the race after breaking his wrist in a crash.