Live from Lille, it’s the latest “Great Loop.” The Tour de France, cycling’s chicest and most significant race, commences from the country’s northern tip. To paraphrase a contemporary great … we got the grip like a handle, and we’re bikin’. Wheels on the road, folks. The complete route can be found here.

Jasper Philipsen has won the opening stage of the Tour de France in a sprint to the line in Lille. Defending champion Tadej Pogačar finished safely.

The Grand Depart takes place in France for the first time since 2021 with a relatively flat route around Lille served up for starters. That should mean the sprinters will get an early opportunity to take centre stage on the final straight below the Citadel, on the edge of the city centre.