Alaphilippe a nice price to prevail after hard finish

Nairo Quintana attacks on Alpe d'Huez during the 2015 tourCredit: Bryn Lennon

Mark Cavendish is riding in his tenth Tour de France but will begin today’s second stage wearing the leader’s yellow jersey for the first time.

The Manx Missile was rated a 10-1 chance for victory in the opening stage from Mont-Saint-Michel to Utah Beach, but there was no fluke as he outsprinted market leaders Marcel Kittel and Peter Sagan.

General Classification favourites Chris Froome and Nairo Quintana finished together, 23 seconds adrift of the victory battle but third-favourite Alberto Contador suffered a crash 80km from the finish and received treatment for a shoulder injury.

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Matthew IrelandRacing Post Sport

Published on 2 July 2016inCycling

Last updated 20:58, 2 July 2016

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