Tour de France 2018 Grand Départ LIVE: Chris Froome crashes as Fernando Gaviria wins stage one latest updates

The Tour de France begins with a 201km jaunt from Noirmoutier-en-L'Ile in Vendee, scene of this year's Grand Départ, to Fontenay-le-Comte

How Chris Froome won his fourth Tour de France

The Tour de France gets under way with a 201km jaunt from Noirmoutier-en-L'Ile in Vendee, scene of this year's Grand Depart, to the stage 1 finish in Fontenay-le-Comte.

Most of the route tracks France's north-west coastline meaning crosswinds could be a factor affecting the peloton, but conditions are warm and calm so we can expect the 176 riders to make it to the end and a bunch sprint to ensue.

Mark Cavendish will have his eye on clinching the yellow jersey for Sunday's stage 2 by winning here but he faces stiff competition from a strong sprint field

Follow all the action below with our live blog:

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Prediction

A bunch sprint to be claimed by one of the power riders – we'll pick Marcel Kittel.

How to watch on TV

The race will be shown live on Eurosport and ITV.

Odds

Fernando Gavaria 9/4

Marcel Kittel 9/2

Arnaud Demare 6/1

Key Points

• Stage-by-stage guide to the 2018 Tour de France
• Team-by-team guide to all 176 riders on the start list
• Chris Froome battles against history, rivalry, the peloton and the people

[7 July 2018 12:16 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

It's a beautiful day for a bike ride through the Vendée...

[7 July 2018 12:55 · Jack Watson]

Cousin wins first intermediate sprint

Peter Sagan was fighting for a record-equalling sixth green jersey but Direct Energie's Jermoe Cousin finished first followed by Kevin Ledanois and Yoann Offredo.

[7 July 2018 12:57 · Jack Watson]

Ouch

Lawson Craddock is being patched up by doctors at the rear of a peloton after a fall.

[7 July 2018 13:04 · Jack Watson]

75m to go

Jerome Cousin, Kevin Ledanois and Yoann Offredo's lead is just 1 minute and 54 seconds as they they pass through with 75m to go. The breakaway group at the front is continuing the extend their lead.

[7 July 2018 13:05 · Jack Watson]

The sprinters are being rewarded for their effort at the front of the back. 

[7 July 2018 13:07 · Jack Watson]

 The scenes in Vendee are...well you can see for yourself. 

[7 July 2018 13:08 · Jack Watson]

​Here's the results from the intermediate sprint

1. Jerome Cousin - 20 point
2. Kevin Ledanois - 17
3. Yoann Offredo - 15
4. Fernando Gaviria - 13
5. Andre Greipel - 11
6. Arnaud Demare - 10
7. Maciej Bodnar - 9
8. Mark Cavendish - 8
9. Peter Sagan - 7
10. Alexander Kristoff - 6
11. Andrea Pasqualon - 5
12. Marcel Kittel - 4
13. Maximiliano Richeze - 3
14. Rick Zabel - 2
15. Marcus Burghardt - 1

[7 July 2018 13:16 · Jack Watson]

Boos for Frome and team Sky

There were grumbles off booing at the opening event on Thursday and the bus has just been jeered as it arrives at the end of stage one. Lawrence Ostlere put this together yesterday on the battle Chris Frome faces with the crowds.

[7 July 2018 13:21 · Jack Watson]

60km to go

Jerome Cousins is enjoying his time in Direct Engine's home region Vendee, they were always targeting a dominating performance in this break and it's going vert well so far.

Lawson Craddock is back in action but is suffering from his very visible injuries.

[7 July 2018 13:22 · Jack Watson]

Great shot