And they're off. No racing for the first 17km, they ride in procession for safety reasons until they get to Harewood House and the real action begins over the remaining 173km to Harrogate.

Apparently the tours organiser has been so impressed with the Yorkshire welcome that he has declared it the greatest grande departe in the entire history of Le Tour, before they'd even set off.

I still remember london 2007 that had quite a welcome.

But this one has had more hype compared to the last depart in london.

My first post should actually read 4 million people. They are expecting to break the record of 3.5million spectators who turned out to watch when Le Tour first came to Britain in 1997.

I meant 2007 not 1997, only 10yrs out.

Turned out nice for it anyway. I must say Yorkshire is looking rather blooming splendid in the sunshine Quite easy to forget what a pretty part of the world it is really, especially as more often than not it's p*ssing down with rain.

Keep your eyes open for suicidal sheep getting in the way on the Cote
de Buttertubs

Awesome crowds up buttertubs, rival to or dare I say better than anything you'd see on Alpe de Huez.

It looked like he was beaten before the crash, don't think he'd have caught Kittel anyway. Can't say i'm a big Cavendish fan but that's gotta hurt, he'll never get another chance to win a tour stage in the town where he grew up.