Final Thoughts- Stage 1

On a day when the sprinter's were to take Center Stage, it was a succession of crashes in the final kilometers that stole the show. Utter CHAOS and carnage reigned supreme as the King of Belgium looked on at the finish line.

Alessandro Petacchi picked his line with precision and timed his final surge to perfection, winning the 5th Tour de France stage of his career, and his first since 2003.

Fabian Cancellara would got caught up in the cluster of bicycles scattered across the street, but emerged unscathed, and wear 'Yellow' for another day.

Lance Armstrong's singular focus to stay safe was rewarded. Team Radio Shack made sure their leader not only survived, but is set to continue his quest for an 8th Tour title.

We expected fireworks on Independence Day- we got the peloton exploding!

Tomorrow we hit our first real elevation of this year's course, and you can bet the excitement level will rise as well.