France’s Durand Wins Waterlogged Prologue of Tour

Jacky Durand of France made the most of the early dry weather Saturday to win the prologue time trial of the Tour de France at Sain-Brieuc, France, as many later-riding favorites decided to cut back their efforts because of lightning, high winds and driving rain.

One who didn’t was Britain’s Chris Boardman, last year’s prologue winner who went all out in a kamikaze run and crashed into the railings on a slow corner. Boardman was hospitalized with a broken wrist and a broken ankle.

Durand crossed the finish line in nine minutes, beating Thierry Laurent by two seconds and Francis Moreau by three. Frenchmen were 1-2-3 on the first day of the Tour.

Tony Rominger of Switzerland and four-time defending champion Miguel Indurain of Spain were unwilling to take risks in the rain during the 4.5-mile time trial and finished well down in the provisional standings.