DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) The 104th edition of the Tour de France is underway in rainy and slippery conditions.
Making his Tour debut on his 22nd birthday, French rider Elie Gesbert is the first competitor on course in Stage 1, an almost entirely flat 14-kilometer (8.7 mile) individual time trial up and down the banks of the Rhine River in downtown Duesseldorf. Gesbert is also the youngest rider in the field.
The 198th and last rider slated to start is three-time champion Chris Froome at just after 6:30 p.m. local time (1630 GMT).
The stage winner will wear the first leader’s yellow jersey of the race.