BRUSSELS, Belgium — Lance Armstrong was happy to simply finish the first stage of the Tour de France in one piece after several other high-profile riders crashed.

Armstrong has had his share of crashes since returning to competition last season, breaking a collarbone last year and injuring his left elbow in May, but avoided the three crashes Sunday that marred the 138.9-mile stage between Rotterdam and Brussels.

The 38-year-old Texan, the winner of seven consecutive Tours from 1999 to 2005, held his nerves when a group of riders crashed in front of him and stopped just in time to avoid a fall. His biggest rival, defending champion Alberto Contador, scraped up a leg bumping a bike in front as he braked.

Armstrong is fourth overall after finishing third last year. He leads Contador by 5 seconds after the Sunday stage won by Italy's Alessandro Petacchi.

"That was total mayhem, definitely in the finish," Armstrong told reporters at his bus, where he signed dozens of autographs surrounded by a crowd of buoyant fans.

"But actually all day. Typical first stage, everybody wants to be in front, everybody is nervous for crashes."

Giro d'Italia winner Ivan Basso and third-place David Millar fell off their bikes after the dog ran into the peloton.

The overall standings remained unchanged.