2010 Tour de France: Petacchi Wins 1st Stage

Italian cyclist Alessandro Petacchi heralded his return to the Tour de France with a victory in the crash-marred Stage 1 from Rotterdam to Brussels on Sunday.

Petacchi, who is making his Tour return after several years of absence, edged Australia’s Mark Renshaw and Norway’s Thor Hushovd in the sprint to the finish after most of the favorites were blocked by several crashes in the last part of the 223.5-kilometer stage. It was Petacchi’s fifth Tour stage victory, but first since 2003, when he won four stages.

Mark Cavendish, who was picked to win the stage, ended Stage 1 in disappointment after he figured in a crash just three kilometers from the finish line.

The yellow jersey remained on Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara, who won the Prologue on Saturday. American Lance Armstrong is still in fourth place, 22 seconds behind Cancellara, while defending overall champion Alberto Contador is in sixth place.

The Second Stage from Brussels to Spa will be held on Monday, July 5.