Fall shock for Roglic, Merlier wins

While Tim Merlier won the first sprint showdown, Roglic fought doggedly for every second after a fall just ten kilometers from the finish in Pontivy. In the end, the Slovenian lost over a minute to the day's winner in a stage marred by three serious crashes, while Mathieu van der Poel confidently defended his yellow jersey.

When everything was gearing up for a royal sprint, Roglic lost control of his bike ten kilometers from the finish. The 31-year-old slipped through the gravel on the side of the road into the ditch, but quickly got back up. Despite the help of his teammates, last year's runner-up conceded 1:21 minutes to surprise winner Merlier. Pogacar is also slowed down Defending champion Tadej Pogacar was caught four kilometers from the finish line. Roglic's compatriot stayed on the bike when several riders fell, but lost touch with the leaders. In the end, Pogacar crossed the finish line 26 seconds behind and lost third place in the overall standings. There, van der Poel leads by eight seconds over France's favorite Julian Alaphilippe and 31 seconds ahead of Richard Carapaz from Ecuador.

Primoz Roglic fell badly. © APA/afp / BENOIT TESSIER

The sprinters didn't get away unscathed either. Stage favorite Caleb Ewan lost control of his bike a few meters before the finish and immediately overtook three-time world champion Peter Sagan. While Sagan continued driving, sprint star Ewan remained stranded on the road had to give up injured. Only van der Poel's teammate Merlier was able to be happy in the end. “It went perfectly for us. I can not believe it. I am now a Tour de France stage winner. This is a dream for me,” said the Belgian. Thomas bites his teeth The day had already started badly for the contenders for overall victory. After just 36 kilometers on the way from Lorient to Pontivy, Geraint Thomas' tour on the rough Breton asphalt was almost over. The 2018 winner fell due to a driving error and hit his shoulder hard on the road. According to media reports, the Brit briefly dislocated his right shoulder. After medical treatment, the Ineos captain got back on the bike and was brought back into the field by three teammates.

The sprinters will get their next chance on Tuesday. On the 150,4 kilometers from Redon to Fougères, not one mountain classification weakens the legs of the fast men. There was already a sprint final in Fougères in 2015. At that time, Cavendish won ahead of Greipel and Sagan. The trio will also be at the start on Tuesday.

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Fall shock for Roglic, Merlier wins

Primoz Roglic rushed after the field with his jersey torn, but in the end the top favorite of the Tour de France suffered his first bitter defeat on Monday.

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