Brice Feillu, Jeremy Roy, Lawson Craddock and Marcus Burghardt are the other men in the breakaway, 23 seconds in front of the pelolton on the cobbles of the Champs-elysses.

Wow. It really is like a proper race. A breakaway of eight riders has formed - it includes Rui Costa, Daniel Teklehamainot, Jan Barta and Alexes Gougeard.

The peloton is 20 seconds further back.

So here we go, eight laps of racing along the Champs Elysees - Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde and round again.

Image source, Reuters

And, as cordial as all that was, there's some racing to be dome, and just as the peloton edges towards the shadow of the Arc de Triopmhe, a flurry of riders speed off in front and loop around the great monument.

This is Chris Froome and Team Sky's moment - all nine riders, eight in black, one in yellow, are allowed the freedom of the front of the peloton to receive the plaudits of the crowd.

Joaquim Rodriguez, in his final Tour, is also given his moment in the sun.

Image source, AP

Eight jets from the French air force zoom across the sky, billowing red, white and blue smoke over the top of the Champs-Elysees.

Chris Froome takes to the front of the peloton and if he looks up, he will see the air display heading over the top. The smile on the Team Sky rider's face is as wide open as the Arc in the Triomphe.

Like an open-top bus, the Tour is taking in the Parisian sights as the peloton clips through the courtyard in front of the Pyramid at the Louvre.

Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist on BBC 5 live

"The riders are going quite slowly actually. They are about 15 minutes behind the slowest pacing time and we just saw the organisational car go behind the pack and encourage them to pick up the pace a bit.

"There is heightened security around the Champs Elysees in light of recent events and I don't think that they want to keep the police waiting.

"The action is about to hot up."

During a stage, while wearing the yellow jersey.

Chris Froome wins selfie of 2016.

Image source, AP

Team Sky are fronting up the peloton as the riders penetrate the centre of Paris and for the first time they'll catch a glimpse of the Arc de Triomphe, which they'll loop all the round in a few moments.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, BBC Sport

What odds on Frenchman Bryan Coquard being the man to take the victory on the Champs-Elysees today?

Our BBC Radio 5 live commentary team are milling with fans in Paris, listen to BBC Radio 5 live for updates from the guys.

There's a bit more zip to the peloton as the western suburbs of Paris start to flow into view. That means there's a bit more road furniture to avoid - islands, bollards, etc.

The noise has picked up a notch too as the crowds grow more excited.

Image source, Getty Images

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I love these...

We have a climb... technically.

It's a category-four climb and the point you get for winning it means zilch, because Rafal Majka secured the polka dot jersey already.

Roman Kreuziger, for a laugh, zips away to nab the point. Nairo Quintana, big smile on his little face, tries to catch him, but he fails. Can't catch a break the Colombian.

Rob Hayles
Former GB cyclist on BBC 5 live

The yellow jersey will be protected like nothing before on today's stage. Anyone who takes the yellow jersey down, that's the end of their career.