The first five stages have been won by Jasper Philipsen, Mathieu van der Poel, Tim Merlier, Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel. Here are the 10 favourites, according to the bookies. The word’s greatest race is now underway.

The Visma-Lease a Bike team of Jonas Vingegaard were the protagonists, with several contenders for the overall classification — including Remco Evenepoel — distanced as the echelons formed. That main part of the peloton, which also contained Primoz Roglic and Geraint Thomas, ended up losing 49 seconds to the stage winner.

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.