Unpronounceable Lithuanian moves into lead after first stage
Egidijus Juodvalkis (Landbouwkrediet) won the opening stage of the Tour de Picardie between Abbeville and La Neuville-en-Hez. The unpronounceable 23-year-old former Lithuanian champion outsprinted Kenny Dehaes (Omega Pharma-Lotto) and Swiss champion Martin Elmiger (AG2R La Mondiale) on the 2.5km uphill finishing straight at the end of the 162km stage.
Juodvalkis finished a second ahead of the rest and so, with the time bonuses for the win, takes the first leader’s jersey of the race.
More details to follow
Result stage 1
1. Egidijus Juodvalkis (Ltu) Landbouwkrediet
2. Kenny Dehaes (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto @ 1s
3. Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale
4. Cyril Lemoine (Fra) Saur-Sojasun
5. Jérémie Galland (Fra) Saur-Sojasun
6. Jean-Luc Delpech (Fra) Bretagne-Schuller
7. Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Katusha
8. Maxime Vantomme (Bel) Katusha
9. Gert Steegmans (Bel) Quick Step
10. Romain Zingle (Bel) Cofidis
Standings after stage 1
1. Egigijus Juodvalkis (Ltu) Landbouwkrediet
2. Kenny Dehaes (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto @ 5s
3. Martin Elmiger (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale @ 7s
4. Mickaël Delage (Fra) FDJ @ 10s
5. Anthony Ravard (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale