Stage three: Lorient - Pontivy, 182.9km
Mathieu van der Poel wears the leader's yellow jersey
Defending champion Tadej Pogacar is third & Geraint Thomas is 20th overall
Britain's Mark Cavendish looks to add to his 30 stage wins at the Tour
Eddy Merckx holds the record for the most stage wins with 34
There are just a couple of category four climbs today.
Has Ide Schelling got the polka-dot jersey on his mind? Probably. It's currently on loan from Mathieu van der Poel, albeit both have four points in the King of the Mountains competition.
Here's a bit more from Cav on the start line: "All we can do is try, I have the most amazing team. I have the best chance to do it with all the preparation we have had."
Mark Cavendish has also said that he reckons he's got the best lead-out man on the planet in Michael [Morkov]."
Image source, Getty ImagesMark Cavendish won his first stage at the Tour in 2008 and while he may be in the twilight years of his career, he looked in pretty good nick in the intermediate sprint on Sunday.
And in an interview with Cyclingnews, external he sounded quite upbeat about his chances and form, even if he's since said there'll be a few nerves today.
"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't going to try and sprint," Cavendish said.
"These days riders try to push away expectations but I hate to do that even if I have to sometimes. I'm a racer and will always be a racer, and will always try to win. Nobody can say I don't try at what I do."
I may be wrong of course but I honestly can't see this being one for the baroudeurs.
Back on the road it looks like the breakaway has formed.
Ide Schelling (Bora-Hansgrohe) led the charge for the third day on the spin and was joined by Jelle Wallays (Cofidis), Michael Schsr (AG2R-Citroen), Maxime Chevalier and Cyril Barthe (B&B Hotels).
Just a reminder in case you needed one...
General classification standings after stage two:
1. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned/Alpecin-Fenix) 8hrs 57mins 25secs
2. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra/Deceuninck-Quick-Step) +8 secs
3. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE-Team Emirates) +13 secs
4. Primoz Roglic (Slo/Jumbo-Visma) +14secs
5. Wilco Kelderman (Ned/Bora-Hansgrohe) +24secs
6. Jack Haig (Aus/Bahrain-Victorious) +26
7. Bauke Mollema (Ned/Trek-Segafredo) Same time
8. Sergio Higuita (Col/EF Education-Nippo)
9. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Jumbo Visma)
10. David Gaudu (Fra/Groupama-FDJ)
Image source, Getty ImagesThe 2018 champion Geraint Thomas was chatting to broadcasters just before the start of stage three, who were all very keen to ask him how he sees things after dropping from 10th to 20th overall, some 41 seconds behind the leader Mathieu van der Poel.
"Obviously, it's not good to waste time but there is still a long way to go," said the Ineos Grenadiers rider.
"We have to stay confident and positive."
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The flag has dropped so Ide Schelling goes off on the attack.
Surprise, surprise.
Monday's neutralised zone is a tad under three miles.
Here we go.
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How good was this chap on Sunday?
Image source, ASO
Image source, ASOIf you have been reading our stage-by-stage guide you will know this relatively flat parcours should bring the sprinters in to play for the first time in the Tour.
It could give us an early indication of Mark Cavendish's form, with the winner of 30 stages looking to make further inroads into Eddy Merckx's record tally of 34.
The run to the line is wide and almost a mile long, so any of half a dozen sprint specialists, plus the likes of Wout van Aert and Jasper Stuyven, may have a realistic opportunity of victory.
Riders to watch: Caleb Ewan, Mark Cavendish and Wout van Aert
Image source, Getty ImagesGood to see this man looking in much better nick than on Saturday evening.
In the grand scheme of things shipping 14 minutes on the first stage isn't really that big a deal.
I'll be more important for Chris Froome to get his legs in this race again as he physically recovers from that second major crash on the first stage.
The riders are all on the start and ready to head off from the neutralised zone in Lorient.
It'll be another 10-15 minutes so before the flag drop and racing gets under way.
Image source, Getty ImagesThanks for joining me for stage three at the Tour de France, the 182.9km run from Lorient to Pontivy.
After a couple of captivating finishes involving the puncheurs, this should be where the sprinters join the party.