The 2025 edition of the Tour de France cycle race begins in the northern city of Lille on Saturday, with title contenders Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard set to renew their sporting rivalry. The tour itinerary this year takes place exclusively in France and favours climbers.

Cycling fans turned out in numbers in the northern French city of Lille on Saturday (July 5) as star cyclists from around the world kicked off the Tour de France at the Grand Depart. Wimbledon Day 5: Sabalenka fights off Raducanu, Alcaraz marches on, Keys and Osaka crash out at Wimbledon

The first week takes place across the north of France and will be targeted by the sprinters, rouleurs and puncheurs, as the opening nine days feature a mix of flat and hilly stages, with an individual time trial on day five.