And there are instant attacks off the front of the peloton. And Jens Voigt - I mentioned him at 11:20 - is among three riders who have shot off the front of the race.

THE 2014 TOUR DE FRANCE IS UNDER WAY

And we are rolling again. Although we are not yet racing. The riders need to negotiate the narrow roads through the grounds of Harewood House and once they get back out on the A61, race director Christian Prudhomme will drop the start flag and we will finally be under way.

Benjamin Busby and Emma Busby (mum), via text: Waiting outside Masham. Only 4 hours to go! Tour maker in York tomorrow, might be busier!

Craig in Harrogate, via text: It's a great shame that David Millar is not in the race but I will be cheering on Cav at the finish line!

Where are you, and who are you with as you wait to see Le Tour roll by? Get in touch, and don't forget to include your name.

Everyone towards the back of the peloton is looking a little bored with all this, although Alberto Contador has a smile for the Duchess. The nine Red Arrows with their trademark red, white and blue vapour trail, roar past overhead and all that's left is for the Duchess of Cambridge to cut the ceremonial ribbon.

The cyclists put their lids back on and we are almost at race time.

All four British riders in the race are right on the front of the start line - Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas of Team Sky, Mark Cavendish of Omega Pharma - Quick-Step and the youngster, 21-year-old Tour debutant Simon Yates of the Orica GreenEdge team.

Here come the dignitaries. The Duchess of Cambridge in a green outfit - perhaps a nod to Cav's ambitions of winning the green points jersey?

Lots of handshakes and Prince William is being introduced to the British quartet, while everyone else is waiting for the Red Arrows to do a fly-by.

It is hard to convey just how many people have come out to support the race. The peloton has been stopped right outside the Harewood House and an official is calling for the ribbon. But first here's the French National Anthem. And that is quickly followed by God Save the Queen.

Andrew Hill:, external That felt like the Olympics all over again!

Image source, Andrew Hill on Twitter

Send us your photos of the race as it rolls by you, and don't forget to say where you are.

Suburban Leeds has given way to rolling countryside as the riders up the pace a little and zip along to Harewood House. And there are thousands of fans there to greet them. Before the race starts properly there will be the National Anthems of France and Great Britain before the ceremonial ribbon-cutting by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

It's a tight squeeze through the entrance gates but thankfully all the riders ease through.

Image source, PA

Here's how people in the village of Reeth in North Yorkshire, which will welcome Le Tour this afternoon, are getting into the mood. Reeth is the most northern point in the race and is between the Cote du Buttertubs and Cote du Grinton climbs (never thought I'd ever find myself typing those out!) The race is due to go through the village around 15:00 BST. Not long to wait now monsieurs.

Image source, AP

Chris Froome looks on as sprint rivals Mark Cavendish and Andre Greipel shake hands at the start line, while Alberto Contador gathers his thoughts ahead of the big roll-out from Leeds. I wonder if they'll be shaking hands come the finish...

Here's how today's stage looks. There are three categorised climbs on the route from Leeds to Harrogate. The numbers represent the toughness of the climb - each of which is graded in terms of its steepness and length. For comparison, the mountains in the Alps and Pyrenees are mainly ones and H, which stands for Hors Categorie (check out our A-Z guide to help you understand more about the terminology).

The climbs are not expected to trouble the riders too much, just wear their legs out a little, so we should be set for a sprint finish in Harrogate at around 16:30 BST.

Image source, Tour de France

So, where are you watching the race from today? Are you in one of the towns en route such as Ilkley, Skipton or Ripon? Have you been out camping and ridden your bike up the Cote du Buttertubs this morning to grab yourself a prime vantage spot at the highest point of today's stage?

Text us your pics and messages to 81111 or Tweet #bbccyling. In return, I'll keep you posted with how the race is progressing.

Image source, Tinkoff Saxo on Twitter

Tinkoff Saxo:, external Race numbers are on. We're proud to say that we are ready to go!!!

Lizzie Armitstead, who won a silver medal in the women's road race at 2012 Olympics, is watching from Harewood House and told the BBC News Channel: "I wasn't jealous until I came here this morning. I would love to be racing here."

The top women cyclists will ride on the final day of the Tour de France in a stage called La Course on 27 July after petitioning the race organisers. So how realistic is a full blown race at the same time as the men's?

Armitstead said: "Probably not in my career but in my lifetime I hope there will be a three-week Tour de France for women."

The riders have moved out of the city centre and the crowds are still several deep on the roadside. Cavendish has been joined at the front of the peloton by Alberto Contador of the Tinkoff-Saxo team. Jens Voigt - the 42-year-old father of the peloton - is also visible. Voigt is a breakaway specialist, who is riding in his last Tour, although I'm sure he said that last year as well.

Nathan McLean:, external Been in Leeds since 7am, never seen it so rammed.

Image source, NAthan McLean on Twitter

Gavin Cawthra:, external Even the sheep are getting involved in Burtersett.

Image source, Gavin Cawthra on Twitter

And this is just the pre-race amble to Harewood House remember. The riders have around 17km to ride to reach the start - which is longer than most neutral zones. There are two reasons for the pedestrian start. To give fans the chance to see their favourite rider and to stop attacks from the peloton which can be dangerous on tight city centre roads.

As soon as the race starts properly, I can guarantee that there will be lots of riders trying to break clear of the peloton, hoping to give their team sponsors some valuable air time.

Chris Froome and Mark Cavendish are leading the peloton out of Leeds to huge cheers. They are following the red car of race director Christian Prudhomme and Yorkshire's Gary Verity, who are proudly standing up through the sunroof waving to the thousands lining the streets. They are 10, no 20 deep in places. Incredible scenes.