Sagan accelerates to opening triumph ahead of Cancellara

Cancellara attacked a third of the way up the final 2.4km ascent to the finish of yesterday’s 198km undulating loop through the Ardennes region of Belgium around Liege, and it seemed only Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) could go with him.

Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Sky) bridged the gap and the trio were clear with 500m to go, but Sagan powered away to claim a first Tour stage win of his career.

He was the youngest Tour stage winner since 21-year-old Lance Armstrong triumphed in 1993.

Cancellara was second with Boasson Hagen of Norway third and Belgium’s Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing) fourth.

Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky) finished 16th to remain second overall, still 10 seconds ahead of defending champion Cadel Evans (BMC Racing), who was 20th to remain 17 seconds behind Cancellara.

“Of course people told me I was the favourite,” Sagan said.

“I knew that (Sylvain) Chavanel would try something at the end. I wanted to attack at the hardest section. It was very, very good that Cancellara was there. I saw that he had strong legs. It was good to take it easy behind him.”

After the day’s early six-man break was swallowed up, the teams regrouped and attempted to get their leaders into position.

After an unsuccessful attack by Chavanel, Cancellara accelerated clear but Sagan accelerated around him to triumph.

Sagan will wear the green jersey today in a points classification competition led by Cancellara, who will again don the maillot jaune as race leader.

For Cancellara, who tried to discourage Sagan from following his wheel in the finale, the finish was reminiscent of Milan-San Remo when Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge) used similar tactics to defeat the Swiss.

“Once I made my attack it would have been good to get some help,” Cancellara said.

“In Milan-San Remo it was the same but I’m not going to attack and ease off and end up somewhere out the back – that is not my style: when I go, then I go and really put the hammer down until the end.”

Another rider looking forward to today will be world champion Mark Cavendish, who contested the day’s intermediate sprint.

Yohann Gene (Europcar) led the day’s six-man escape, which began from the moment the peloton left the neutralised zone, at the intermediate sprint to collect 20 points.

Two minutes 35 seconds behind them, the peloton crossed, with 2011 green jersey winner Cavendish beaten by former HTC-Highroad team-mate Matt Goss (Orica-GreenEdge) to claim eight points. The Manxman had support from Boasson Hagen and it was an indication that he is not yet willing to give up the maillot vert without a fight.