Cavendish out of race
As a result of the crash on the first day of the race, Cavendish dislocated his shoulder and is out of the race. In a Twitter post, his team, Omega Pharma-QuickStep (OPQS), confirms that the MRI scan shows torn ligaments and an AC-joint dislocation. Cavedish says:
Normally I bounce well but when I was on the floor I knew something was wrong. My shoulder was sticking out the way it shouldn’t. I had some optimism that it would just be swelling but this morning was worse. I’m gutted.
Nibali wins second stage
Nibali of Italy wins the second stage of the race through the Yorkshire countryside and receives his first yellow jersey.
It was a fabulous day for me, I led a good action. It was difficult. There was a lot of headwind … I had the luck to attack at the right moment.
Cavendish: race could be over
Cavendish, a member of the Omega Pharma-QuickStep team, crashes 200 meters from the line. Cavendish admits that he was trying to find a gap in the crowd of racers when he was involved in the crash with rival rider, Simon Gerrans. Cavendish has an MRI taken of the injured area, and a decision will be made as to whether or not he will race on July 6, 2014:
I’m gutted about the crash today. It was my fault. I’ll personally apologise to Simon Gerrans as soon as I get the chance. In reality, I tried to find a gap that wasn’t really there. ‘I wanted to win today, I felt really strong and was in a great position to contest the sprint thanks to the unbelievable efforts of my team. Sorry to all the fans that came out to support – it was truly incredible.
Race starts in Yorkshire
Thousands of spectators line the streets in Yorkshire, England to watch the start of the race. 198 riders will participate in this year’s race. The Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge, along with Prince Harry, attend. Kate and some of the lead riders cut the ribbon, signifying the start of the race. Yorkshire is hosting the first stage of the 101st Tour de France, and the cyclists will wind through many towns and villages along the 190km route. The race will go through the Yorkshire Dales to Harrogate on July 5, 2014, and then from York to Sheffield, through the Peak District, on July 6, 2014.