Yves Lampaert stuns 'big guys' in Tour de France time trial and Pogacar third

Belgian Yves Lampaert won the first stage of the Tour de France on Friday, gatecrashing the opening day individual time-trial as crowds defied the rain along the 13.2-kilometre route in central Copenhagen.

Quick-Step rider Lampaert suffered less from the rain with a later start than the pre-race favourites, finishing five seconds before compatriot Wout van Aert, with defending champion Tadej Pogacar third best seven seconds off the pace.

Crowds packed the route in the Danish capital with cheers reverberating across the city as riders sped past the Little Mermaid statue, the harbour-front Blox building and the Amalienborg palace, where Crown Prince Frederik joined the celebration.

The 31-year-old Lampaert was overwhelmed with emotion when he realised he will wear the overall leader's yellow jersey on Saturday's second stage.

“I was hoping for a top 10, but not this,” said the 2021 Belgian time-trial champion. “I beat the big guys.”

Two-time defending champion Pogacar pulled on the white jersey as the fastest under-25 rider.

“It's great to be back on the Tour, the white jersey was my aim today,” said the Team UAE leader.

Tadej Pogacar passes the Little Mermaid statue. AP

“I loved the crowds and my time was good for the GC against my rivals,” he said.

Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel had set the early pace when the rain was at its heaviest, but could not survive the passing of the big guns.

His face creased in pain from the relentless effort and stress of the rain-slick road, van Aert took the lead before his archrival, world champion Filippo Ganna, who suffered a puncture along the way.

Slovenian Pogacar then threw down the gauntlet to his title rivals. Cruising through the puddles, the 23-year-old all-rounder sprinted