Pedro Delgado, the previous year's winner and one of the pre-race favourites to win the Tour, missed the start of the prologue by 2 minutes 40 seconds.[1] This resulted in him finishing last on the stage, 2 minutes 54 seconds behind the yellow jersey.[2][3]
Prologue result and general classification after prologue[4][5]
2 July 1989 — Luxembourg to Luxembourg, 135.5 km (84.2 mi)[6]
Søren Lilholt attacked from the start of the stage. Lilholt gained 52 seconds on Acácio da Silva and Roland Le Clerc, and 6 minutes 50 seconds over the peloton by the first intermediate sprint at 45 km (28 mi). The three leading riders then grouped together and extended their lead over the peloton to 11 minutes 30 seconds, before being partially drawn back. Da Silva attacked the other breakaway riders at the 132 km (82 mi) mark and held the lead to the finish line.[7]
10 July 1989 — Pau to Cauterets, 147 km (91.3 mi)[30]
The first mountain stage of the Tour departed south-west from Pau, through Lasseube to Oloron-Sainte-Marie. The riders then headed south through Gurmençon to Escot, to begin the climb east to the Category 1 Col de Marie-Blanque to 1,035 m (3,396 ft). The route then descended east to the valley floor at Bielle, before beginning a gentle climb south through Laruns and turning east to Eaux-Bonnes. The riders then began the Hors catégorie climb of the Col d'Aubisque to 1,710 m (5,610 ft), partially descending through the Col du Soulor, and then climbing the Category 2 Col des Bordères to 1,150 m (3,770 ft), before the final big descent to Argelès-Gazost. Heading south, the brief climb of the Category 4 Côte de Saint-Savin was followed by a quick descent to Pierrefitte-Nestalas. The race continued south, beginning the ascent of the Category 1 climb to Le Cambasque, west above Cauterets, at an altitude of 1,320 m (4,330 ft).[30]
The mountainous stage departed from Cauterets heading north to Pierrefitte-Nestalas
before turning back south to Luz-Saint-Sauveur. The race then turned east and began ascending to Barèges, on the lower slopes of the Hors catégorieCol du Tourmalet, before the full ascent to 2,115 m (6,939 ft). After descending north-east to Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, the riders began the climb of the Category 2 Col d'Aspin to 1,489 m (4,885 ft). Following a winding descent south-east to the valley at Arreau, the race continued on through Bordères-Louron for the Category 1 Col de Peyresourde to 1,569 m (5,148 ft). The race then descended east through Cazeaux-de-Larboust to the valley floor at Luchon. Finally, the riders turned south for the Category 1 climb to Superbagnères, with the finish line at 1,770 m (5,810 ft).[34]
