Colombian Fernando Gaviria won the opening stage of the Tour de France on Saturday.

The 23-year-old held off Peter Sagan and Marcel Kittel to become just the second Colombian to wear the yellow jersey after Victor Hugo Pena in 2003.

‘I just said to myself “go” and had the legs luckily,’ Gaviria said. ‘What an amazing day, nobody is happier than me.

‘The team did amazing. Tomorrow I’ll be in yellow and try and keep it as long as possible. I don’t know about keeping the yellow jersey because of the mountains, but I plan to fight for the green jersey [sprint points] all the way to Paris.’

Britain’s Chris Froome crashed with 6km to go, but the defending champion – who is aiming for a record-equalling fifth title – got back on his bike and finished 51 seconds behind Gaviria.

‘I’ve not been checked by the team doctor but I feel fine,’ said Froome. ‘I’m OK, we saw a lot of crashes out there but we knew the first few days were going to be tricky.

‘We were at the front of the peloton so there was not much more the guys could’ve done – it was just chaotic with the sprinters up there. I’m just grateful I’m not injured in any way and there is plenty of racing left to Paris.’