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 14:37 · Jack Watson]

Fernando Gaviria wins and takes the yellow jersey! 

An epic three-man sprint for the finish ends with Colmbian sprinter Saviria winning the first stage of the 2018 Tour de France.

[7 July 2018 14:38 · Jack Watson]

Chris Frome crosses the line 50 seconds behind the stage winner.

[7 July 2018 14:42 · Jack Watson]

This is a huge win for Fernando Gaviria on his debut, the 23-year-old from Colombia battled hard to take the win. Jerome Cousin and Yoann Offredo lead the peloton well.