LIEGE, (Belgium): 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.

But the main drama happened 30km from the finish as the peloton chased down a four-man breakaway.—AFP