American George Hincapie grabbed the first Tour de France yellow jersey of his career as Frenchman Jimmy Casper caused an upset on the race’s first big sprint rendezvous on Sunday.
Hincapie, who lost out on the race lead by 0,73sec after he finished second in the prologue behind Thor Hushovd, found himself benefiting from the big Norwegian’s misfortune on the first stage held over 184,5km.
Hushovd was left lying on the ground with blood pouring out of a cut on his right arm after he appeared to have been hit by a spectator, as he jostled to get into a bunch sprint.
As Hushovd lost his concentration, Casper — a sprinter who has been trying for years to bag a stage on his home race — shocked the likes of Robbie McEwen, Tom Boonen and Erik Zabel to claim his first victory in the race.
Casper could not quite believe his luck and it took him until well after the finish line to actually muster a celebratory gesture.
After pulling on the race’s green jersey for the points classification, the little Cofidis rider admitted: ”It’s the best day of my life, right now I’m thinking of my wife and kids.
”To beat guys like McEwen and Boonen is pretty special, although I think I might have had a bit of luck.”
McEwen, who along with Belgium’s world champion Boonen had been the big favourite to claim the first sprint win of the race, finished in second place.
The 33-year-old Australian will perhaps have some sympathy for Hushovd, after he himself was involved in a similar but less-serious incident a few years ago.
Zabel, a six-time winner of the race’s green jersey for the points competition, finished third ahead of Italian Daniele Bennati. Boonen was down in 13th place.
Hincapie, meanwhile, admitted it was a dream come true to finally pull on the yellow jersey, which his more famous ex-team leader Lance Armstrong only gave up after seven years of domination last July.
”It’s a dream come true for me, especially after missing out on winning yesterday,” said the big New Yorker.
Hincapie began the day only four seconds behind Hushovd in the race’s general classification, and displayed his determination by sprinting for the bonus seconds on offer in the day’s final intermediate sprint.
And those two seconds he picked up proved to come in handy as Hushovd was left rueing having raced up the side next to the barriers instead of the middle of the road.
Television pictures suggested the incident was caused by a spectator waving one of the green hands — which are made of cardboard — that are handed out by one of the race’s sponsors on the race’s home straight.
Tour de France official doctor Gerard Porte said Hushovd’s wound, which caused him to miss the sprint and thus lose the race lead to American George Hincapie, was not too serious and he should be able to continue.
”It will need a few stitches, but on first inspection it looks as though he will be able to continue in the race,” said Porte. — AFP
