Tour de France photos

Cycling fans line the streets of London as the city stages the start of the Tour de France for the first time

Norwegians turn out in force to cheer on their popular compatriot Kurt-Asle Arvesen

The Netherlands' Michael Boogerd prepares himself as the racers get ready for the start of the competition

Security is tight but the atmosphere on the streets is excellent as the action gets underway

Gorka Verdugo of Spain is one of the first to complete the prologue, which runs from Whitehall to The Mall

Mikel Astarloza sweeps past Buckingham Palace - one of several London landmarks the race passes by

Up to a million people are said to have turned out to witness a historic event for the capital

American David Zabriskie, one of the favourites to win the stage, initially sets the fastest time

Vladimir Karpets of Russia eclipses Zabriskie's effort to register a time of nine minutes and 17 seconds

But fellow Russian Vladimir Gusev beats that by around a second to set a new best time

Charlie Wegelius, the first Briton in action, is roared on by the crowd but finishes 31 seconds adrift of Gusev's time

Gusev is displaced by Germany's Andreas Kloden, who storms home in nine minutes and three seconds

But they are all upstaged by Fabian Cancellara, who wins the stage with a superb time of eight minutes and 50 seconds

Britain's David Millar is unable to break into the top places despite a valiant effort

Londoner Bradley Wiggins, the Olympic gold medallist, seems Britain's best hope and receives a great reception

Wiggins is desperate to give the London crowd a winning performance but he has to settle for fourth place

Cancellara's delight is clear as he claims the all-important yellow jersey after a thrilling day's cycling

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