Britain's Chris Froome, who was minding his own business on the edge of the peloton, hits the deck after two riders touch, with one ricocheting into the Team Sky rider.

Image source, Getty Images

Sir Bradley Wiggins is a notable absentee from this year's Tour after failing to make the Team Sky line-up but Dave Brailsford hopes to retain the 2012 champion for next season.

"Bradley is a fantastic champion and we'd like him to continue with Team Sky," the team principal told The Times.

"We'll continue to discuss that with him and see if we can find a way to support him through to Rio (2016 Olympics)."

Wiggins, 34, plans to ride in the track and road races at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow., external

While today may well be all about the sprinters, riders in the overall classification will be keen to maintain their position, because this will decide the line-up of the team cars behind the peloton for the next stage.

This is crucial because there is a big possibility of mechanical issues occurring during the 15.4km section on the cobbles on tomorrow's stage.

Geraint Thomas
Team Sky's five-time Tour de France rider on stage four

"The first stage in France of this year's race is a typical sprint stage. We may get some crosswinds which could spice it up a bit but all being well, it will be a sprint. It will be a bit of a stressful day, especially if there is a bit of wind, or narrow roads, because you can get silly little crashes, so it will be another day of keeping Chris Froome safe."

Read more in Geraint's stage-by-stage guide.

Weather forecast for the start from Le Touquet is, how you say, agréable. Or pleasant, if you prefer.

The riders can expect sunny spells and temperatures of about 18C, according to the BBC. And who are we to argue with them?

The peloton has rolled out of Le Touquet-Paris-Plage. Not long until the start, folks.

Former champion Andy Schleck on Twitter:, external Very disappointed to let you know that i will not be able to start. My knee is too damaged from the crash. This is a huge blow for me.

So as I mentioned, it's a change of scenery for the Peloton today, as we head to France for a 163.5km stage which has an intermediate sprint and two category four climbs.

Former champion Andy Schleck has pulled out of the Tour de France because of injuries sustained in a crash on yesterday's third stage.

"The ligaments and meniscus in the right knee are too severely damaged from his crash in yesterday's final," said his Trek Factory team. "He will travel to Basel now for examination and a possible operation."

Schleck won the 2010 Tour after Spain's Alberto Contador was stripped of the title for doping.

There was a concern that some riders and their teams might not be able to make the first stage on French soil today when hundreds of passengers were evacuated from a broken-down train in the Channel Tunnel on Monday.

However, riders flew to France on Monday evening on four chartered planes from London City Airport while the Tour's entourage used the ultra-reliable ferry to get across.

The subject of a Tour de France for women was discussed on the BBC's Today programme earlier this morning with British Cycling board member Marian Lauder saying the absence of one "matters enormously".

The men's race has become an iconic event, but the women's Tour last ran in 2009.

The women return to the men's Tour course this year in a special La Course race on the final stage and Lauder hopes it will lead to a larger event.

"We hope that will be a precursor to something bigger in future," she said.

Image source, AFP

British rider Mark Cavendish is considering legal action after rival Alexander Kristoff accused him of "crashing on purpose" at the climax of stage one of the Tour.

Cavendish, who is set to miss the Commonwealth Games after dislocating his shoulder in the crash, is "shocked and angry" at the comments, according to his agent Simon Bayliff.

Cavendish, 29, admitted he was to blame for the collision with Simon Gerrans during the sprint in Harrogate, and apologised to the Australian Orica-GreenEdge rider. Read more here.

Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara on Twitter:, external Some how it was amazing what we got for support on the road in England but the danger on the road with the people taking selfie was not good.

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

As ever, this live text commentary will have support from the team at BBC Radio 5 live sports extra.

They'll be up and running from 15:00 BST and you can listen by clicking on the Live Coverage tab at the top of this page.

These live text commentaries are always a lot more fun when you get involved so don't be backwards in coming forwards.

Did you head out on the streets yesterday to catch a glimpse of the action or has anyone headed over to France to pitch up along the route?

If so, fire over your photos from the day and we'll publish the best ones. I also welcome all your cycling-related chat.

Simply tweet us using the hashtag #bbccycling, external or if you prefer the old fashioned method of texting, drop us a message on 81111 (UK only) and I'll dig it out of the inbox.

Rob Hayles
Former Great Britain cyclist on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"No surprise with the winner Marcel Kittel, the only surprise is Andre Greipel was not there with him. He faded away after his Lotto-Belisol team-mates did so much work. With Mark Cavendish away there was no point in looking at anyone other than Kittel here on The Mall."

Hear more from Rob on the 5 live Bespoke podcast.

Image source, Getty Images

German Marcel Kittel tasted victory for the second time in three stages when he headed a late sprint on The Mall in stage three in London.

The Giant-Shimano rider said his sixth Tour stage victory was among the biggest of his career.

"Emotionally, this win is close to the one I got on the Champs-Elysees in Paris last year," the 26-year-old said.

"Winning on The Mall, that's what I dreamed of. It's really fantastic to win here. On the finishing line, the crowd was fantastic. I love the atmosphere."

Italy's Vincenzo Nibali retained the race lead, while Britain's defending champion Chris Froome of Team Sky remains fifth.

Afternoon all and welcome to our live text commentary of stage four of the Tour de France from Le Touquet-Paris-Plage to Lille Metropole.

People turned out in the millions over the last three days as the Tour weaved its way through Yorkshire before heading south from Cambridge to London.

When asked if the Tour would return, race director Christian Prudhomme said: "Yes. The question is not if, but when, although I don't have the answer for the second part.

"What the British people have done is magnificent. Thank you. It was unbelievable, I just want to say again: merci beaucoup."

I'd say that means it was a job well done.

Image source, Getty Images

Thank you England. It's been emotional. The Tour will be back - race director Christian Prudhomme said as much - but for now, we head to the event's heartland for the remaining 18 stages of the world's most prestigious cycling race.