Producing a tactical masterclass on the opening day at the Tour de France, Team dsm-firmenich PostNL secured the stage win with a brilliant one-two through Romain Bardet and Frank van den Broek; moving into the famous yellow jersey with their incredible display. Beginning the day with a plan of being active and making sure to be in the break, Team dsm-firmenich PostNL were just that and ensured they were in every move. Eventually the elastic snapped and Frank van den Broek made the move in what was his first ever Tour de France stage. Riding well as a group, the break built up a good lead but the bunch upped the tempo and began to reduce the gap as they headed towards the majority of climbs in the finale. In the peloton, some strong support from the rest of the squad saw the climbers well positioned where Romain Bardet launched a stinging attack to bridge across to Van den Broek in the break, as per the days plan. The Team dsm-firmenich PostNL duo linked up, and rode admirably together, sharing the pace. Eventually they dropped the rest of the breakaway and forged on alone together at the head of the race. Giving everything for each other they kept fighting all the way to the line and they just about held off a charging peloton in a nail-biting finale. Romain Bardet crossed the line first in what is his last Tour de France while in his debut Grand Tour, Frank van den Broek took in second place after a superb ride. The team could sit up and celebrate an incredible victory and one built from pure teamwork and pure racing. With it, the team also moves into the famous yellow jersey ahead of tomorrow’s second stage with Bardet, whilst Van den Broek leads in the green and young rider competition. Next to that, Van den Broek also won the most combative rider for stage one. Click here for quotes from Bardet, Van den Broek and coaching staff. |