Stage 2 winner Kettel reduced to tears

Marcel Kittel

Germany's Marcel Kittel is ecstatic after winning Stage Two of the Tour de France at Liege, Belgium yesterday. Pic/Getty Images

German Marcel Kittel broke down in tears after winning his 10th Tour de France stage in Liege on Sunday. Reigning champion Chris Froome suffered a scare on the 203.5km second stage from Dusseldorf, crashing 30km from the end but he got up to finish safely in the peloton, alongside race leader Geraint Thomas.

Frenchman Arnaud Demare was second and German Andre Greipel third in the bunch sprint, with Briton Mark Cavendish fourth as he challenged for a 31st stage win. "I don't know what to say... It was an incredible start in Germany with so many people," said an emotional Kittel. "Great! I'm super happy, super proud because it was for me a very special win after we had the Grand Depart in Germany."

But the main drama happened 30km from the finish. A rider from the Katusha team trying to set up Alexander Kristoff for the finish slipped on a wet bend and crashed, taking down around 15-20 riders. Froome and yellow jersey wearer Thomas were among them, with the champion suffering cuts to his lower back.