PARIS, May 14, 2010 (AFP) – Dutchman Kenny Van Hummel (Skil-Shimano) won the sprint on Friday to win the first stage of the Tour of Picardy, run on a 181 km coruse between Boué (Aisne) and Doullens (Somme).

Van Hummel received the full benefit from the work of his team, who along with team Euskaltel and Katusha, organized the chase to catch a group of escapees who had up to a twelve minute lead after 50km of racing.

The escape, which contained Japanese rider Fumiyuki Beppu and the French rider Niels Brouzes, as well as Tristan Valentin, was caught with just three kilometers from the finish.

On Saturday, the second stage will lead the pack of 186 km Friville-Escarbotin-Belloy (Sum) to wax-lès-Mello (Oise).

Ranking the first step:
1. Kenny Van Hummel (NED / SKS) 4h 15 min 55.
2. Ben Swift (ENG / SKY) to 04.
3. Fumiyuki Beppu (JPN / RSH) 04.
4. Danilo Napolitano (ITA / KAT) 06.
5. Niels Brouzes (FRA / AUB) 06.
6. Tristan Valentin (FRA / COF) 08.
7. Yohann Gene (FRA / BTL) 10.
8. Robert Wagner (GER / SKI) 10.
9. Yauheni Hutarovich (BLR / FDJ) 10.
10. Giovanni Bernaudeau (FRA / BTL) 10.