MARCO BERTORELLO/Getty Images The 2018 Tour de France got off to a spectacular start on Saturday, with some of the top contenders for the yellow jersey already chasing their rivals in the standings entering Stage 2. Both Chris Froome and Nairo Quintana lost time because of a crash and a mechanical, respectively, and the two will have to make up the lost time somewhere. It most likely won't be in Stage 2, a flat affair that has another sprint finish written all over it. Date: Sunday, July 8 Route: From Mouilleron-Saint Germain to La Roche-sur-Yon TV Guide/Live Stream: Eurosport, ITV 4 (UK)/NBC (U.S.) Here's a look at the route for this year's Tour: Video Play Button Videos you might like Fans of the sport are already familiar with the Vendee region of France, which features regularly in the race. It's mostly known for its beautiful beaches and coastal towns, but further inland, there's plenty to be seen as well. Because this stage takes place on those roads, wind should be less of a factor. The heat and expected high pace set by the sprint teams could be offset by what's ahead―many of the top teams will have an eye on Monday's team time trial event and opt to save their strength on Sunday. A bunch sprint is still expected, however. Movistar and Sky will do whatever they can to shield their top guys, who both lost time to those who finished in the main group. Richie Porte and Simon Yates also fell behind, and while many noted it's hardly a disaster at this stage of the race, it's notable nonetheless: There aren't enough major obstacles in Sunday's stage to spring a surprise, so the contenders for the general classification should simply cruise along and aim for Monday's team time trial. Fernando Gaviria won the opening stage and will be the favourite for the win on Sunday. The Colombian is the best pure power sprinter in the peloton and also has a phenomenal lead-out from his Quick-Step Floors team, which has bags of sprinting experience. Peter Sagan and Marcel Kittel will always be threats in a sprint, and Alexander Kristoff, John Degenkolb, Dylan Groenewegen and Christophe Laporte are also perfectly capable of sprinting to victory. But this early in the race, with everyone on mostly fresh legs, the edge usually goes to the most powerful man, and that's Gaviria.<doc-sep>The Tour de France begins on Saturday 7 July and we now know that Chris Froome will be racing, have been absolved of any wrongdoing in his Salbutamol case and given the go-ahead to ride by the race organisers, ASO. Froome is the favourite to win the Tour but he faces stiff competition from a strong Movistar team featuring the Colombian Nairo Quintana, the experienced Alejandro Valverde and Froome’s former teammate, Mikel Landa, as well as a host of others such as BMC’s Richie Porte and Bahrain-Merida’s Vincenzo Nibali. This year, the race’s start – the Grand Départ – begins in the north-west of the country. The Tour will then head over the cobbles of northern France, over the Pyrenees and the Alps and back to Paris for the 21st and final stage. Where is the Grand Départ and when does it start? The Tour is set to get under way Noirmoutier-en-l’Île in the Vendée department in north-west France at around 10am BST, making a 201km journey to Fontenay-le-Comte. What does stage 1 look like? Stage 1 is a relatively flat route along the coastline which could be affected by crosswinds coming from the Atlantic. Take a look at our stage-by-stage guide for more on the route: Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Show all 42 1 /42 Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 1 Saturday 7 July: Noirmoutier-En-L’Ïle to Fontenay-Le-Comte (201km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 1 profile A flat opening stage following the coastline which will expose the peloton to crosswinds from the Atlantic Ocean and is likely to end in a bunch sprint. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 2 Sunday 8 July: Mouilleron-Saint Germain to La Roche-Sur-Yon (182.5km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 2 profile A route through the Vendee countryside with another opportunity for the sprinters to clinch a stage victory. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 3 Monday 9 July: Cholet (team time trial, 35.5km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 3 profile A team trial around Cholet which will give an early indication as to the quality and depth of the leading groups. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 4 Tuesday 10 July: La Baule to Sarzeau (195 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 4 profile The visit to Brittany could be the moment for the dominant sprinter of the Tour to make his mark. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 5 Wednesday 11 July: Lorient to Quimper (204.5 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 5 profile A tricky stage to Finistere full of narrow roads and short, sharp climbs. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 6 Thursday 12 July: Brest – Mûr de Bretagne Guerlédan (181 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 6 profile The Mur de Bretagne will be scaled twice in the final kilometres in the toughest test of the first week. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 7 Friday 13 July: Fougères to Chartres (231 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 7 profile This is a long stage which invites a breakaway but is likely to won by a sprinter. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 8 Saturday 14 July: Dreux to Amiens Métropole (181 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 8 profile The sprinters could be scuppered by the Normandy crosswinds – conditions will be crucial. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 9 Sunday 15 July: Arras Citadelle to Roubaix (156.5 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 9 profile A testing route consisting of 22km of cobblestone split into 15 treacherous section which could claim a few casualties. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 10 Tuesday 17 July: Annecy to Le Grand-Bornand (158.5 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 10 profile A rare trip off the asphalt and on to a gravel road is likely to puncture a few tyres. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 11 Wednesday 18 July: Albertville to La Rosière (108.5 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 11 A first serious taste of the mountains, albeit on a very short stage. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 12 Thursday 19 July: Bourg-Saint-Maurice Les Arc to Alpe d’Huez (175.5 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 12 profile A summit finish on top of the Tour de France’s most iconic climb: Alpe d’Huez. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 13 Friday 20 July: Bourg d’Oisans to Valence (169.5 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 13 profile A gentler day after three stages in the mountains and one for the sprinters to contest. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 14 Saturday 21 July: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to Mende (188 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 14 profile A stage with four categorised climbs including a sharp climb to Mende which will hurt tired legs. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 15 Sunday 22 July: Millau to Carcassonne (181.5 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 15 profile Another undulating day ripe for a breakaway. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 16 Tuesday 24 July: Carcassonne to Bagnères-de-Luchon (218 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 16 profile A long and draining stage with three ascents in the second half to bring out the best in the elite climbers. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 17 Wednesday 25 July: Bagnères-de-Luchon to Saint-Lary-Soulan (65 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 17 profile The shortest regular stage for 30 years and yet a brutal one, finishing on the steep Col du Portet, which could prove decisive. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 18 Thursday 26 July: Trie-sur-Baïse to Pau (171 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 18 profile Some respite for the climbers after three draining days, and another chance for the sprinters to shine. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 19 Friday 27 July: Lourdes to Laruns (200.5 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 19 profile The famous Aspin-Tourmalet combination in the middle of this stage makes it perfect for a yellow jersey assault. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 20 Saturday 28 July: Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle to Espelette (individual time trial, 31 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 20 profile A time trial with enough short climbs – including the final Col du Pinodieta – to upset the traditional time triallists. Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 21 Sunday 29 July: Houilles to Paris (116 km) Tour de France 2018: stage-by-stage guide Stage 21 profile The procession into the Champs-Elysees for those that have made it, and one final opportunity for the power riders. How can I watch the Tour de France? Eurosport and ITV will be broadcasting every stage live while The Independent will provide live blogs to keep you updated. Where is the race this year? This year the race is almost exclusively in France, taking in some of the iconic climbs like Alpe d’Huez and the Tourmalet, with a brief dalliance in the Spanish Pyrenees the only period outside Where does the race end? The race will end as it traditionally does, on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, on Sunday 29 July when the winner will be crowned. What do the different jerseys mean? The yellow jersey (maillot jaune) is awarded to the overall winner of the Tour de France, who is the rider to complete all 21 stages in the least amount of time. The green jersey (maillot vert) is awarded to the rider who earns the most sprint points through the Tour, which are on offer at the end of each stage, with the most awarded on the flatter stages which favour sprinters. The polka dot jersey (maillot a pois rouges) is awarded to the rider earning the most mountain points, and the white jersey (maillot blanc) is awarded to the best-placed young rider (aged under 25 at the start of the year). Who are the favourites and what are the odds? Chris Froome 13/8 Richie Porte 5/1<doc-sep>✕ Close 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: 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<doc-sep>
LUK BENIES/Getty Images Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain may have company come July 29, as Chris Froome will be looking to join them by winning a fifth Tour de France in 2018. The second Grand Tour of the year kicks off in Noirmoutier-en-l'Ile on Saturday, and Team Sky's Froome is the clear favourite after his three Tour de France wins on the bounce, as well as his recent triumphs in the Giro d'Italia and last year's Vuelta a Espana. Stage 1 of the 2018 Tour will see the riders take on a 201-kilometre flat run along the coast from Noirmoutier to Fontenay-le-Comte. Eurosport 1 and ITV 4 will provide coverage for UK viewers, with live streams available via Eurosport Player and the ITV Hub. Viewers in the United States can tune in via NBC and its NBC Sports Live service. As can be seen from the Tour de France's virtual route guide, this year's race begins on the island of Noirmoutier before heading quickly on to the mainland and heading down the coast: The main concern for the riders during the opening stage will be wind; the peloton will be exposed to the Atlantic Ocean for much of the day. Video Play Button Videos you might like For the general classification riders like Froome, Nairo Quintana, Vincenzo Nibali, Richie Porte, Tom Dumoulin, Romain Bardet and Adam Yates, the prime objective will be to stay out of trouble. AFP Contributor/Getty Images Weather conditions will play a crucial role in how those going after the yellow jersey ride on Saturday, as crosswinds off the ocean can be nasty. In terms of who will win the stage, it will be a day for the sprinters. Katusha-Alpecin's Marcel Kittel won five stages on the 2017 Tour before abandoning after a crash on Stage 17. He will surely be in the mix for the bunch sprint to the finish on Saturday. Dimension Data's Mark Cavendish will also be desperate to get a stage win under his belt early. He crashed out of last year's Tour on Stage 4 in an incident with Peter Sagan, which saw the Slovakian rider disqualified, and he has Merckx's record of 34 stage wins firmly in his sights—Cavendish sits on 30. Mark Renshaw, along with the rest of a strong Dimension Data outfit, will be on hand to help him out: Other potential stage winners on Saturday include Sagan, Dylan Groenewegen, Fernando Gaviria and Arnaud Demare.