Alexander Kristoff won the opening stage of the Tour de France, while Thibaut Pinot was one of several riders to take a tumble on a rain-hit ride on Saturday. 

Norway's Kristoff outsprinted Danish world champion Mads Pedersen after 156km around Nice as well as Pinot, who trailed by some distance. 

The Norwegian will now wear the overall race leader's yellow jersey, having fought back from an early fall that looked like ruling him out. 

"That was great for me, allowed me to get right back in," said Kristoff, who had been around six minutes adrift after his own tumble. 

"This is a special Tour, even I am surprised," said the 33-year-old, who admitted his season's targets were the coming one-day races, Paris-Roubaix and the Tour of Flanders. 

Pinot will be credited with the same time as the winner since the massive crash occurred within three kilometers of the finish line on the Promenade des Anglais. 

Dutchman Cees Bol finished third. 

Colombian Nairo Quintana, twice a Tour runner-up, fell earlier while Pavel Sivakov, one of defending champion Egan Bernal's key lieutenants, hit the ground twice. 

Pre-stage favorites Sam Bennett, Caleb Ewan and Giacomo Nizzolo also crashed on slippery roads as rain wreaked havoc during the stage. 

The 2020 Tour set off two months later than planned due to the coronavirus outbreak and under strict health protocols. 

Teams will be expelled from the Tour de France if at least two members, including staff, test positive for the coronavirus. 

(With input from agencies)