Another delayed start after the neutral zone but the white flag comes down and the race is under way.

Plenty of attacks going from the off. This is the last day for many teams to salvage their Tour so expect plenty of frantic racing at the start before a break gets established.

So a gargantuan 222.5km route that takes the race south from Embrun to Salon-de-Provence near the Mediterranean and Saturday's key time trial in Marseille.

It's front-loaded too, with the biggest climbs of the day coming inside the first 50km.

Only three category three climbs in total, though, meaning this one is set up for an intriguing battle between the sprinters' teams and the inevitable breakaway.

Image source, Le Tour

It's going to be a long day in the saddle.

That's right - after two punishing days in the Alps, the Tour organisers have chucked in the longest stage of the race on today's stage 19.

No rest for the knackered. The riders have already started the roll out from Embrun.

Here we go...