In the first, troubled stage of the Tour (from Rotterdam to Brussels, 224 km) Ivan Basso was the victim of a fall, occurred 60 km after the start and caused by a dog who run into the peleton.

Basso: "It's a bit sore but for the rest I feel fine. Falling is never pleasant, especially after just two days of riding. We hope not to run into other risks these coming days. The first stage was a very competitive stage today but it was a great spectacle also from the bunch. For us, to watch all these enthusiastic people alongside the road was fantastic. I wouldn't say that I've never seen so many spectators before because the crowd in the first three days of the Giro d'Italia was great as well. But I have a special feeling for this Tour de France."