Posted: Jul 2, 2011 6:08 PM by Jordan Mason
MONT DES ALOUETTES, France (AP) - Philippe Gilbert has won the first stage of the Tour de France to take the yellow jersey - as defending champion Alberto Contador lost precious seconds because of a late crash.
The first stage Saturday of the 98th edition of cycling's most prestigious race took the 198-rider pack over 119 miles from La Barre-de-Monts to Mont des Alouettes in the western Vendee region.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)