FanPost

Meanwhile in Britain...

With the excitement of the Vuelta - in particular today's drama - and the Pro Tour races in Quebec some may have forgotten that the Tour of Britain started today. Chris promised more in depth coverage so I'll refrain from a preview of either course or contenders. But as the first stage is over thought I'd set this up to let people know what's happened. Results of the first stage on the flip...

So today's stage was 132 km from Rochdale - large post-industrial town in the greater Manchester connurbation - to Blackpool - slightly naff northern seaside ride famous for its tower and pleasure beach (think rollercoasters). The stage was marked by a breakaway in the first 25 km (Richie Porte (Saxo Bank), Jack Bauer (Endura Racing) and Wout Poels (Vacansoleil)) caught near the finish by the HTC-Columbia and Sky-led peloton. Andre Greipel won the bunch sprint and took the leader's jersey thanks to bonus seconds.

Top ten on the stage:

1 12 Andre Greipel Team HTC-Columbia 3:16:48
2 71 Manuel Belletti Colnago-CSF Inox st
3 5 Greg Henderson Sky Pro Cycling Team st
4 36 Alex Rasmussen Team Saxo Bank st
5 116 Martin Reimer Cervelo Test Team st
6 126 Robert Wagner Skil-Shimano st
7 73 Gianlucia Brambilla Colnago-CSF Inox st
8 82 Edward Clancy Motorpoint-Marshalls Pasta st
9 3 Russell Downing Sky Pro Cycling Team st
10 106 Michael Van Stayen Topsport Vlaanderen st

And the GC:

1 12 Andre Greipel Team HTC-Columbia 3:16:36
2 71 Manuel Belletti Colnago-CSF Inox at 0:06
3 5 Greg Henderson Sky Pro Cycling Team at 0:08
4 3 Russell Downing Sky Pro Cycling Team st
5 35 Richie Porte Team Saxo Bank at 0:09
6 116 Martin Reimer Cervelo Test Team at 0:11
7 136 Wout Poels Vacansoleil Pro Cycling st
8 36 Alex Rasmussen Team Saxo Bank at 0:12
9 126 Robert Wagner Skil-Shimano st
10 73 Gianlucia Brambilla Colnago-CSF Inox st

Greipel also leads the points, Porte heads up the sprints and Poels has the "mountains" jersey.