It looks like Greg van Avermaet's clocked-off after securing the polka-dot jersey.

Providing he completes the stage within the time cut, Van Avermaet will collect the polka dot jersey in Brussels regardless.

Xandro Meurisse was first at Bosberg but it matters not, with only a point up for grabs, first place in the highest categorised climb wins out.

Image source, Getty Images

The King of the Mountains competition is the second oldest classification in the Tour de France, after it was added to the race back in 1933.

The polka-dot jersey, which is a pretty big deal has been won by French riders in the last two editions of the Tour, with Warren Barguil claiming it in 2017 and Julian Alaphilippe winning in 2018.

Britain's Chris Froome was the last man to win both the polka-dot and yellow jerseys in the same race back in 2015.

Greg van Avermaet times his effort to perfection on Mur de Grammont.

The Olympic road race champion reels in an attack from Cofidis rider Natnael Berhane and is pushed all the way by Mads Wurtz Schmidt (Katusha-Alpecin) but he's on the board as the virtual leader in the King of the Mountains classification with two points.

Right here we go on cobbles of the Mur de Grammont.

Cofidis rider Natnael Berhane is the first rider to test Greg van Avermaet but that doesn't last long at all.

The breakaway group is now closing in on the first categorised climb of the day, the steep cobbled Mur de Grammont, where Greg van Avermaet will presumably be hoping to do exactly what he did at this year's Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and lead the way up to the church on the summit.

That would allow him get some points on the board in the King of the Mountains classification and become the virtual leader in the competition.

The third 'streekrenner', or enfant du pays, on stage one is Frederik Backaert (Wanty-Groupe Gobert).

His family farm, where he still works occasionally, is situated in Michelbeke, 15km away from the Mur de Grammont.

Image source, Getty Images

Steve Cummings says he is "sad" to start the Tour de France without Dimension Data team-mate Mark Cavendish.

Cavendish said he was "heartbroken" to miss the race for the first time since his debut in 2007.

The 30-time Tour stage winner was left out of Dimension Data's eight-man squad by boss Doug Ryder, apparently against the wishes of the team's head of performance Rolf Aldag.

"It's just sad," Cummings said. "I've known him a long time as a friend and he's a legend of the Tour de France. "It's a big call to leave him out."

Two local riders, Aime De Gendt and Laurens De Plus have just wheeled right past their parents shops today in Ninove.

The De Gendts sell tyres while the De Plus family has a gardening shop. Just in case you are wondering, De Gendt, one of the 33 debutants in the Tour de France,is not related to Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal).

And local riders are called “streekrenners” in Flanders.

Looks like someone is following their own advice.

Greg van Avermaet and friends have opened up a three minute and 20 second gap to the peloton in the breakaway at the front of the race.

And when I say friends...Natnael Berhane (Cofidis), Mads Wurtz Schmidt (Katusha-Alpecin) and Xandro Meurisse (Wanty-Groupe Gobert).

A 'relieved' Chris Froome says he will be following the Tour de France from bed after returning home to start his recovery from the crash which left him seriously injured.

Froome, 34, broke his neck, femur, elbow, hip and ribs in the accident on 12 June.

"It's a huge disappointment not to be at the Tour but I'm relieved to finally be out of hospital and home," he said., external

"I'll be following all the action from bed - so make it a good one."

You can read that story in full here.

Image source, Twitter: @ChrisFroome

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Froome and Mark Cavendish, who is second behind Eddy Merckx with 30 stage wins, are notable omissions from the Tour de France this year.

But Geraint Thomas is of course defending the title he won as a Sky rider last year.

The Yates twins, Adam and Simon, are also racing for Mitchelton-Scott.

With Cavendish missing, two-time stage winner and breakaway specialist Steve Cummings, 38, is the only Briton in Dimension Data's eight-man squad, while Luke Rowe, 29, joins his compatriot Thomas in the Ineos team.

Alex Dowsett, who last month won a record-equalling sixth national time trial title, is the only other British rider in the race, with the former Team Sky and Movistar man competing for Swiss team Katusha-Alpecin.

The 106th Tour de France celebrates the 100 years of the yellow jersey with 10 former yellow jersey in contention. Well sort of, when it comes to the business end anyway.

Besides two overall winners, Vincenzo Nibali (2014) and defending champion Geraint Thomas, they are Fabio Aru, Rohan Dennis, Tony Gallopin, Daryl Impey, Tony Martin, Peter Sagan, Alejandro Valverde and Greg Van Avermaet.

That's the lowest number since 2013 (which was also 10) largely due to the absence of Chris Froome who monopolised the jersey, wearing it on 59 days from 2013-2017.

Speaking of the Olympic road race champion and multiple classics winner, Greg van Avermaet, he's in group of four riders to make a move from the gun.

Now that is a surprise.

The CCC rider is joined by Natnael Berhane (Cofidis), Mads Wurtz Schmidt (Katusha-Alpecin) and Xandro Meurisse (Wanty-Groupe Gobert).

The quartet have already taken two minutes plus out of the peloton but talk about going early.

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport in Brussels

Image source, BBC Sport

Belgians worship cycling. Think Brazilians and their love of football, and New Zealanders with their devotion to rugby union.

Brussels has been awash with yellow and polka dot jerseys this weekend, while the streets have been adorned with Tour de France bunting.

There was a real carnival atmosphere at the Grand Depart earlier, with the biggest cheer for home favourite Greg van Avermaet.

Reigning champion Geraint Thomas got a warm welcome too - no sign yet of any hostility towards Team Ineos like they got last year in their previous guise of Team Sky.

Image source, Getty Images

This year's race marks the 100th anniversary since the introduction of the yellow jersey, which originates from the Tour's creator, the newspaper L'Auto.

Printed on distinctive yellow paper, L'Auto is the ancestor of the current French daily paper L'Equipe.

Henri Desgrange, the editor, probably deserves a huge mention here, establishing a three-week race that could deliver the most compelling narratives.

The public loved it, his paper's circulation increased, and the participants became heroes.

Here we go. Racing is under way. Just 194.5km to go.

Image source, Tour de France

Now if your wondering what's in store in this three-week odyssey Britain's Adam Yates has put together a very helpful stage guide here.

The Mitchelton-Scott rider is hoping to challenge for the Yellow Jersey this year and he takes us through the first 10 of the 21 stages that make up the 2019 Tour de France, with pointers to where the race will be won and lost.

He's going to do the second half of the race on the first rest day because he will be able to more accurately predict how the race will unfold...

The 176 riders are rolling towards the start proper, in what has to be one of the longest roll outs in Tour de France history.

We've got about another 3km to go in the neutralised zone.

Image source, Getty Images

Right the La Marseillaise has been belted out and Belgium's King Philippe has been introduced to a smattering of riders.

Although it appeared as though he was going to swerve Geraint Thomas until race director Christian Prudhomme intervened.

Anyway we're ready to go.