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Rohan Dennis wins Tour de France 2015 Stage 1 ITT

Rohan Dennis, BMC Racing Team, Tour de France 2015 Stage 1
Rohan Dennis, BMC Racing Team, Tour de France 2015 Stage 1 Photo: Greg K. Hull © Chasing Light Media

Averaging 55.45 kilometers an hour over the 13.8-km course, Rohan Dennis (BMC Racing Team) won the stage 1 individual time trial in Utrecht, finishing 5 seconds ahead of Tony Martin (Etixx-QuickStep) and 6 seconds faster than Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing).

It was nerve-wracking watching the screen. I didn’t expect to go that fast time-wise. When I got to back to the bus, I was told that it was the quickest time trial by my friend back in Adelaide. So that was a nice little bonus, you could say.

We went with the tactic of going off early – there’s no stress, you don’t have to sit around all day – just set a benchmark and make everyone else chase me. It worked out perfectly. Tour de France … yellow jersey … it’s a dream. I have always wished to be in this position and now I am.”
Rohan Dennis, BMC Racing Team

Tony Martin, Etixx-Quick Step Tour de France 2015 Stage 1
Tony Martin, Etixx-Quick Step Tour de France 2015 Stage 1 Photo: Greg K. Hull, Cool Adventures © Chasing Light Media

I knew starting the Tour de France with this time trial was a great chance for myself and the team to possibly wear the yellow jersey in Utrecht. I did the best preparation possible to be at this race at 100 percent. I had great support from the team and the staff around me, so I could really focus on the race. But today I was struggling a little bit with the heat. It was not easy to warm up on the rollers and then riding 15 minutes in the heat. Even in the second half I was already tired. I’m used to warming up after 5 to 7 kilometers, and then my race starts.

But today I couldn’t really change rhythm. I was doing my best to go until the finish. I am sure in different weather circumstances I could do better. Still, considering everything, to still finish 2nd I am happy about it. I always want to win, but today I found a great Rohan Dennis who deserved the victory. There is still a big opportunity for yellow in the next days. Everyone knows this first week will be crazy and we have for sure one of the strongest and best teams for the parcours of the next days. So, yes, I am disappointed, but the Tour de France has only just begun. I have a great team around me that will further boost my morale, for sure.”
Tony Martin, Etixx-QuickStep

Fabian Cancellara, Trek Factory Racing, Tour de France 2015 Stage 1 ITT
Fabian Cancellara, Trek Factory Racing, Tour de France 2015 Stage 1 ITT Photo: Kim Hull, Cool Adventures © Chasing Light Media

It was quite a heat and my mouth was so dry at halfway already. It was hard to get a deep breath at times, I couldn’t swallow. But for one, it shows I am in progression from where I was two weeks ago. Of course, I came here to get yellow, and so in that way it’s kind of a disappointment. But, on the other hand, I did a good performance. I am not sure where I could give more; maybe if the wind was less before, I don’t know, you can make a lot of speculation. In the end, it is how it is.

Of course I don’t look yet to tomorrow, first I need to get over the day, the disappointment. I expected something higher, something bigger. But that’s sport. I don’t feel like I have anything to prove, I have already proved many, many years of big things. People expect me to perform on days like today where I am a specialist. But for having a perfect day you need more, and I was not having a perfect day, and for me the heat cut my performance. This is not an excuse, but the reality.”
Fabian Cancellara, Trek Factory Racing

Tour de France 2015 Stage 1 ITT Top 10

  1. Rohan Dennis (AUS) #63
    BMC RACING TEAM 14 ’56”
  2. Tony Martin (GER) #114
    ETIXX-QUICK STEP 15 ’01” + :05
  3. Fabian Cancellara (SUI) #143
    TREK FACTORY RACING 15 ’02” + :06
  4. Tom Dumoulin (NED) #85
    TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN 15 ’04” + :08
  5. Jos Van Emden (NED )#138
    LOTTO TEAM NL – JUMBO 15 ’11” +:15
  6. Jonathan Castroviejo (ESP) #53
    MOVISTAR TEAM 15 ’19” + :23
  7. Matthias Brändle (AUT ) #182
    IAM CYCLING 15 ’19’ ‘ + :23
  8. Adriano Malori (ITA) #58
    MOVISTAR TEAM 15 ’25″+ :29
  9. Wilco Kelderman (NED) #132
    LOTTO TEAM NL – JUMBO 15 ’26” +:30
  10. Stephen Cummings (GBR) #212
    MTN-Qhubeka 15 ’28” + :32
Tom Dumoulin, Team Giant-Alpecin, Tour de France 2015 Stage 1
Tom Dumoulin, Team Giant-Alpecin, Tour de France 2015 Stage 1 Photo: Greg K. Hull, Cool Adventures © Chasing Light Media

I rode a strong time trial, which I enjoyed but unfortunately it was not enough for the win. 

I didn’t hear anything from my coach because I was riding through a wall of sound from the spectators, which was really cool.

Of course it’s very special to ride on home grounds. Right now I’m a little bit disappointed so I’m not the most enjoyable person to be around.”
Tom Dumoulin, Team Giant-Alpecin

Tour de France 2015 Jerseys after Stage 1

Yellow (Overall leader):Rohan Dennis, BMC Racing Team

Green (Points): Rohan Dennis, BMC Racing Team
Worn by Tony Martin, Etixx-QuickStep

Polka-dot (KOM): Not awarded

White (Best Young Rider): Rohan Dennis, BMC Racing Team
Worn by Tom Dumoulin, Team Giant-Alpecin


Stage 1 Individual Time Trial
Date: 4 July, 2015
Start:  Utrecht  
Finish: Utrecht
Distance: 14 km


Tour de France 2015 Stage 1 route

Tour de France 2015 Stage 1 route map

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Tour de France 2015 Stage 1 profile

Tour-de-France-2015-stage-1-profile.png

Maps courtesy of Le Tour de France / © A.S.O.

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