Belgian professional cyclist Tim Merlier won the first mass sprint of the 108th Tour de France, which was overshadowed by a serious fall.
The 28-year-old from Team Alpecin-Fenix relegated his compatriot and team-mate Jasper Philipsen and Nacer Bouhanni (France) to the places on Monday on the 182.7 km section from Lorient to Pontivy.
On the home stretch, top favorites Caleb Ewan (Australia) and Peter Sagan (Slovakia) went down after a collision in the sprint.
Previously, Primoz Roglic, who was second in the previous year, lost important time.
The Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel successfully defended the yellow jersey.
One of the favorites, Geraint Thomas, also fell during the day and is now apparently on the hunt for another overall victory.
The 2018 winner fell 144 kilometers from the finish in Pontivy due to a driving error, and according to media reports, he dislocated his shoulder.
It took him several minutes to get back on the bike.
After medical treatment, Thomas continued the race and was brought back into the field by three teammates, which he initially drove a good three minutes behind.
The Briton also tore Tony Martin and Robert Gesink with him in the fall, both of whom are helpers of the top favorite Roglic.
As a result, Gesink had to give up the race.
Martin continued the tour.
The German sprinter had already been brought down on Saturday by a woman with a cardboard sign, causing a mass fall.
“Some viewers simply don't have any respect and don't even turn their heads on”, grumbled Martin, who spoke of “one of the worst falls” in his 13 years touring.
The tour organization ASO has now turned on the judiciary.
There are investigations against the woman for deliberately endangering public security, said the police.
But first the culprit has to be found.
World champion Julian Alaphilippe appealed to the “vigilance of the people” and emphasized: “Everyone is happy that the people are standing on the side of the road again. But be careful, watch out! "