The start should be fun to watch as there might be a decent scramble to get in a break and get some points on the climbs with the KOM jersey up for grabs (so the break should be entertaining too).

My God Froome is dull.

Glad Millar is on the commentary team. Looks like he will bring some contemporary views to the party.

Millar looks like Trigger.

Froome is a robot, which is what SKY want.

Fantastic turnout!

Anyone get anything good from the caravan?

Slim pickings here.

Ffs Jill Douglas is a presenter on itv4 🙁

C’mon ……….get on with it!

Cavs bracelets dont look very aero

Isn’t the TDF supposed to be a race FFS get on with it

finally a race

Whats the Jens, take it easy on Day 1? **** that I’m off

Looks like Jens has been cooped up too long…

The visdeo feed from the cars/motorbikes is bloody awful

Also sat here at 9pm at night in Oz I’m a little dusty eyed seeing the green fields of England on the world stage and I’m proud of the numbers that have turned out to make it a great day.

Would be great if Jens got the KOM jersey 🙂

bloody hell there’s a lot people out!!!

bloody hell there’s a lot people out!!!

‘t costs nowt lad.

‘t costs nowt lad.

not according to our commentators (paul & phil) saying how much people were paying for camping

At last all the talking is over. The main event has arrived, and the highlight of the summer is underway. Yep, the Realman threads are on STW.

..and a bit of bike porn.

Thanks bear, good work. 8)

Go on then – where do we reckon the break will be caught?

I’m going for A61 between Ripley and Killinghall

Spent many happy hours cycling the Yorkshire Dales. Some in the depths of winter when the weather wasn’t as kind as today. Can’t wait to see them beat my PB over the Buttertubs climb (just let ’em try!!!).

I’m with Mikewsmith (not literally). Watching late at night in Hong Kong and feeling misty eyed.

Amazing crowds. Well done Yorkshire. Shame about the strange Royal interlude at Harewood House!

Just watched the GCN preview of tomorrow. Quite a tough stage so early on. Could be some serious GC action over those climbs. Can’t wait, but for the moment let’s enjoy the Dales.

I was chatting with this fella back in January
http://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/mike-tomalaris/blog/129112/ready-to-drop-the-tour-flag
during a lunch stop on our MTB event where he flew in from the Tour Down Under to do the commentary for SBS. He was asking what to expect in Yorkshire, I’m ashamed to say I did tell him to prepare for rain and cold weather. That and to ask the locals to speak slower.

Watching my 2nd TdF from the USA and I am reveling in how fantastic Yorkshire looks. People will think the sun shines there on a regular basis!

Have to agree Mike. Yorkshire looks just beautiful on t’telly and brought back many memories. and look at the crowds!! Fantastic effort.

I bet beach road in Melbourne will be chockers tomorrow!!

Love the rolling helicopter shots of the Dales. It’s like the start of Emmerdale 😀

Liking the look of thoes lotto belisol bikes this year.

Enjoying the dry stone wall facts.

😀 Think he got a bit confused with the measurements!

and we’ve got Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwin commentating on the NBC coverage.

Rode these roads on a sportive a few weeks ago. Beautiful. Glad to see the sun is out.

I don’t think I can listen to the commentary any more, Im going to kill someone if I hear the word Yorkshire one more **** time.

Yes it’s lovely, but I don’t need to hear it every 20 decking seconds 😈

just turned it on. As ever can’t be surprised to see jensie in the break on day one

Looking like the proper tight mountain roads already. Might make a few interesting moments.
Oh and the sheep

Arrrgg bloody itv producers gone to adverts just as leaders reach the climb!

ITV coverage is un-watchable for me, would cost a fortune in new TV’s.
Paid a months subs for the Eurosport player and it has been superb so far.

That World Cup advert for Belgium vs Argentina is annoying me. “Brace yourself. It’s going to be emotional”

Bollocks

Like a proper mountain summit with the crowds there!

Jens attacks!!

Jens ******* Voight