This is a hard stage to write about. What should have been a joyous stage review discussing the boringness of the first sprint stage of the Tour de France, the lovely chateaux of Brittany, and fitted-sheet videos turned into a nightmarish finish filled with one horrendous crash after another. Before we get into that discussion, allow us to celebrate Tim Merlier (Alpecin-Fenix) for winning his first-ever Tour de France stage in his debut at the event! Mathieu van der Poel keeps yellow for another day.
