Kittel wins Tour stage; Froome keeps lead

SAINT-MALO, France — Germany’s Marcel Kittel won Tuesday’s 10th stage of the Tour de France in a sprint finish and Chris Froome stayed out of trouble to keep the leader’s yellow jersey.

Kittel held off countryman Andre Greipel and Mark Cavendish in a dash to the line to win his second stage of the Tour. Cavendish nudged Dutchman Tom Veelers off his bike as they sprinted for home.

“I touched him. The road was bearing left,” Cavendish said. “Yeah, it was my fault. … I hope he’s OK.”

Froome was at a safe distance behind, much to his relief.

“That’s everyone’s worst nightmare. Fortunately I was to the side of that crash and went around it no problem,” Froome said. “I’m feeling really good. Today was a great day for us, staying out of trouble, staying at the front. That was one of the objectives today, save the legs as much as possible.”

Kittel won the opening stage and is now the first rider to capture two stages in this year’s race.

“Things went very well with my team today,” he said. “I managed to get on Greipel’s wheel and overtake him.”

Peter Sagan, who won the green jersey for best sprinter in last year’s Tour, finished the stage in fourth. The Slovak holds a commanding 83-point lead over Greipel and is 103 in front of archrival Cavendish, who won the green jersey in 2011.

The finish looked tailor-made for Cavendish, who was going for his 25th career Tour stage win to tie Frenchman Andre Leducq on the all-time list of Tour stage winners.

“I think this team could’ve done something differently, but we’ll talk about that later,” Cavendish said.

As the British rider moved into position to attack before the final corner, Cavendish appeared to lean into Veelers and send the Argos-Shimano rider flying off his bike. Race stewards were examining what happened.

“I hope that Tom isn’t hurt too badly,” said Kittel, his teammate.

Following a rest day, the 122-mile flat ride started from Saint-Gildas-Des-Bois in northwest France and finished in the walled port city of Saint-Malo, a tourist destination on the north coast of Brittany.

Froome, the Tour runner-up to British countryman Bradley Wiggins last year, has a healthy lead over second-place Alejandro Valverde and two-time champion Alberto Contador. Froome is looking to increase that in Wednesday’s time trial — a 20.5-mile dash from Avranches to Mont-Saint-Michel, a walled medieval abbey in Normandy.

“Tomorrow’s definitely a day where I will try and extend my lead,” Froome said. “I do look forward to it. It’s definitely a day that could help the general classification. I definitely want to go for it.”

A five-man breakaway attacked from the start, opening a lead of five minutes, but they were caught with less than 4 miles to go.

Froome took the yellow jersey on Saturday with a devastating attack on the last climb of the first Pyrenean stage and then successfully defended it the following day in the face of several attacks from his rivals. He stays 1 minute, 25 seconds ahead of Valverde, while Contador is 1:51 behind in sixth.

Froome finished last year’s Tour time trial in second place behind Wiggins. None of his main rivals is as quick as he is in a time trial.

“I don’t think they really like these kind of time trials,” Froome said. “I should be able to hold on to my advantage and maybe get some more time.”

Following the time trial there will be two flat stages before the Tour heads back to the mountains.

There have been several crashes so far and there were a couple of minor ones Tuesday as the pack hurtled toward the finish line. The first brought down two riders as the peloton split in two going around a roundabout with about 12 miles to go, and another two fell after locking bikes slightly further on. All of them hopped back on their bikes.

“It was a bit tricky towards the end there and there was a bit of crosswind, and it definitely makes the peloton more nervous,” Froome said. “Every day you get through with the yellow jersey is a blessing, so I’m happy just to tick that one off.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.