UPDATE: Germany’s Marcel Kittel won Stage 1 in a knot of 146 riders timed at 4 hours, 44 minutes, 7 seconds. England’s Christopher Froome, the defending champion, was credited with sixth place.

The top American was Tejay Van Garderen, in 32nd. Also in the top 100 were Christopher Horner, 65th; Peter Stetina, 70th; Matthew Busche, 84th; and Benjamin King, 97th.

Crashes marred the first stage, claiming England’s Mark Cavendish fell in a late crash, Kittel won the 118-mile race along rocky, grassy hills from Leeds to Harrogate. He raised his arms skyward and cried after he edged Peter Sagan of Slovakia in second, and Ramunas Navardauskas of Lithuania in third.

With fewer than 400 meters to go, and the speedsters rushing ahead, Cavendish veered slightly to his left and bumped Australia’s Simon Gerrans. They came crashing down alone, with Cavendish landing hard on his right shoulder.

After lying briefly on the ground, Cavendish got up gingerly and cruised over the finish line — cradling his right arm.

The race’s first day was not without incident involving spectators. A woman was injured when the roof from which she was watching collapsed, according to Britain’s Daily Mirror. It also said a teenager was struck by a team vehicle.

Many enthusiastic Union Jack-waving fans on the course are hoping that Britain’s Mark Cavendish, one of the world’s great sprinters, will win this first of three tour legs in England before the race enters France. It would be Cavendish’s first ever yellow jersey.

A three-man breakaway got out early, including Germany’s Jens Voigt who, at age 42, is the oldest rider in the pack this year.

The Duchess of Cambridge was expected to bestow the first race leader’s yellow jersey at the day’s awards ceremony. Watched by her husband Prince William and his brother Prince Harry, Kate cut the race ribbon at the start of the first leg which also featured a flyover by aeronautical display team the Red Arrows.

Overall favorites are defending champion Froome, a 29-year-old Kenyan-born Briton who leads Team Sky, and two-time champ Alberto Contador.

In all, the riders will cover 2,277 miles of roads in England, France, Belgium and Spain.