The first stage of Tour de France 2021 was brutal and bloody, with two massive crashes that, combined, pretty much had every cyclist on the ground at one point or another. A lead group of only 50 riders went into the final climb to contest the stage win, including stage favourites Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert as well as the world champion. As is his wont, Julian Alaphilippe put in a searing attack from nearly 2km out and a combination of everyone looking around, ‘no legs’ and the explosiveness of his acceleration meant that no one came close to catching him as he cruised in for an emotional win. But the aftermath of this stage is going to be felt for some time.
