Peter Scrivener
BBC Sport

For the first time today we get a television shot of defending champion Serge Pauwels, who gets to wear the number one on his jersey.

The Belgian is loitering around the back of the peloton. Today is not a day for him to get too involved. He is among the favourites for the overall victory and should come to the fore on the hillier stages to follow on Friday and Sunday.

He is a Dimension Data team-mate of Mark Cavendish, who is wearing the number two.

Just 100km to go and the leading six are continuing on their merry way, with their lead hovering just under the five-minute mark.

Pocklington is the scene of the first intermediate sprint of this year's race. That is coming up in about 20km or so. Before that, there is the small matter of Cote de Baggaby Hill (which is probably a bit too much French or English - can't work out which).

Anyway, Baggaby is a short, for these riders, 1.9km ascent with an average gradient of 4.6%. First over the top will wear the King of the Mountains jersey on stage two because it's the only categorised climb of the day.

There are great crowds along the route today - but how much do the riders see of them?

Well, we can't replicate it exactly but BBC Radio Humberside's Andy Comfort is in the lead car ahead of the race.

And this is what he can see:

Pocklington has gone all out for the the Tour de Yorkshire - look out for this whopping jersey on the church clock tower

The minster town of Howden in East Yorkshire is ready for the riders as they make their way on today's 182km route.

Still a while before the riders arrive though...

Peter Scrivener
BBC Sport

The race has settled down somewhat as the six out front return to Beverley - the scene of the start around an hour ago, having cycled out to the north sea coast and back.

The stage now follows the same route to Doncaster as the women took a little earlier this morning when, if you're just joining us, Kirsten Wild sprinted to victory.

A bunch sprint for the men is certainly on the cards this afternoon and the peloton has stepped on the gas a little, knocking one minute off the break, which now has a lead of around four minutes with 130km remaining.

Everyone is getting into the spirit of the tour, have a look at Paddy the Labrador.

A nice little low-five for a lady on the side of the road from American Emerson Oronte as the breakaway cycles past one of countless bunches of kids that are lining the route and well marshaled by accompanying adults.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the size of the crowds that go out to watch this race are phenomenal.

Meanwhile, Canyon Eisberg have confirmed it is Harry Tanfield in the break, not Max Stedman.

Hornsea welcomed the men's race for the first time! Here are some of the spectators enjoying the tour passing through.

Peter Scrivener
BBC Sport

The lead appears to have been pegged at five minutes, so our six leaders are:

Mike Cuming (Madison Genesis), Ali Slater (JLT Condor), Tom Baylis (One ProCycling), Emerson Oronte (Rally Cycling) Max Stedman (Canyone Eisberg) and Axel Journiaux (Direct Energie)

That's according to the Tour de Yorkshire twitter feed. I'm sure I saw Harry Tanfield. He rides for the Canyon Eisberg team so it's either him or Max. I'll try and 100% confirm that!

Peter Scrivener
BBC Sport

The peloton has called a cease to hostilities. Several riders from Mark Cavendish's Dimension Data team have got on the front of the peloton and the pace has instantly slowed. The six out front are now more than three minutes clear.

"I need my car," shouts Cav, who has dropped to the back of the peloton. Turns out his race radio is faulty. It's an essential piece of equipment these days, so that team directors can shout instructions to their riders and vice versa.

Peter Scrivener
BBC Sport

Six riders have broken 15 seconds or so clear but there are attacks continuing from the peloton as teams without a man out front try to get involved.

Britain's Harry Tanfield is among them, more names to follow.

Peter Scrivener
BBC Sport

Why do riders go in the break if it is doomed to failure?

Firstly - there is a chance they could win. On a flat stage such as this, it is admittedly a slim chance, but it does happen.

Secondly - exposure for the team's sponsors. The race is being televised and riders out front get more coverage than those in the main bunch. Those riders who get in the break are usually from the less well-known teams who will probably not be contesting the stage win.

Thirdly - it helps teams control the race. For example, on this stage, Mark Cavendish is the big favourite, so his Dimension Data team-mates can control the pace of the peloton and keep their sprinter fresh for the finish.

They will ride on the front of the peloton, making sure the break does not gain too much of an advantage but is far enough clear to nullify any further attacks from the main bunch.

They then have to time the catch to perfection - too far out from the finish and riders may attack and disrupt their plans; too close to the finish and the break may just succeed.

Thousands of people are out today cheering and celebrating the Tour de Yorkshire as it passes through local towns and villages.

One thing that is clear is the wealth of Yorkshire pride and community spirit that comes with hosting this event.

Local people in Howden shared their enjoyment of the day.

Peter Scrivener
BBC Sport

Mark Cavendish is without a doubt the favourite to win in Doncaster but a word of warning. The last three times he has raced, he has crashed.

The first time he was taken out by a car before the stage had started in Abu Dhabi on 21 February.

Then he fractured a rib on 7 March when he came off during the team time trial at the Tirreno-Adriatico race.

And finally, on 17 March, he fractured a different rib in a spectacular crash during the Milan-San Remo one-day race. If you're not too squeamish, you should have a search around for it, he went straight over the handlebars. Nasty.

The riders are currently cycling through the streets of historic Beverley ahead of really stretching the legs when they get out of the town and the flag falls.

Despite what this picture suggests, British rider Mark Cavendish is ready to go!

All timings are approximate, so get to your viewing point with plenty of time to spare.

• Unofficial start at Beverley Market Place: 13:50
• Hornsea: 14:22-14:24
• Skidby: 15:09-15:15
• Baggaby Hill (climb): 16:02-16:14
• Pocklington (sprint): 16:06-16:18
• Howden (sprint): 16:51-17:08
• Hatfield: 17:35-17:57
• Doncaster (finish): 18:08-18:33

Image source, Tour de Yorkshire

We all love cycling - but some of us just love it that bit more than others.

Rather than being on the start line, this chap is close to the end in Doncaster.

Which counts as a good thing, I think.

There's just over 10 minutes before the ceremonial start in Beverley to get the men's race under way.

Here's what it looks like behind the line.