Tour de France : Dutchman Wins Prologue as Delgado Gets Late Start

Eric Breukink of the Netherlands won the prologue of the 23-day Tour de France cycling race Saturday as defending champion Pedro Delgado of Spain got a late start, finishing almost three minutes behind.

The 76th edition of the world’s most famous bicycle race stretches across three countries and more than 2,020 miles.

Breukink, timed in 9 minutes 54.47 seconds for the 4.8-mile prologue, will be wearing the yellow jersey of overall leader when the first leg of the race gets under way today.

Laurent Fignon of France, champion in 1983 and 1984, was second in 10:00.48. Ireland’s Sean Kelly finished third in 10:00.80, just ahead of Greg LeMond of Rancho Murietta, Calif., the 1986 winner.

Delgado, who won the title last year, was the last off in the time trial, starting 2:40 behind schedule. It was not immediately known why he was late. He finished in 12:48.30, 196th in the field of 198.

Today’s two stages will be a 98.4-mile leg in the morning and a team time trial in the afternoon.

This year, the tour started its three-week run in the Duchy of Luxembourg. It continues through Belgium for two stages Monday and Tuesday, before a rest day and resumption of racing in France.

Starting Thursday, the competitors begin a counterclockwise race around France, ending up with a time trial on July 23 from Versailles to the Champs Elysees in Paris.

This year’s tour is the shortest of the post-World War II era and fourth-shortest ever.

“I am a little absent-minded,” Delgado said. “After I signed up for the race, I went off to get ready and just didn’t get to the line in time.”

“I am a little disappointed but it is only the prologue and I still have the whole Tour to make it up.”

This morning’s stage will allow Delgado to make up time on an individual basis. But in the afternoon event, Delgado is restricted to going only as fast as his teammates. They have to wind up as a group across the finish line in the 28.6-mile team time trial.