Switzerland’s Cancellara leads as riders set off on Tour de France 2nd stage

Tour de France 2nd stage under way

BRUSSELS — Riders have set off for the second stage of the Tour de France, a day after multiple crashes marred the ride through the Netherlands and Belgium.

Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara is in the lead, and seven-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong is fourth, 22 seconds behind, as riders begin Monday’s 125-mile run from Brussels to Spa.

Defending champion Alberto Contador is sixth, 27 seconds back.

At least six crashes disrupted the first stage, and Australian Adam Hansen dropped out of the race after breaking his sternum and a rib.

Many other riders also were injured. Armstrong’s RadioShack teammate Levi Leipheimer had X-rays on Sunday which showed no fracture of his wrist.

The race ends July 25 in Paris.