Hello and welcome to live coverage of the 101st edtion of the Ronde van Vlaanderen, the Tour of Flanders, the second monument of the classics season and a gruelling 260.8km ride over 18 hellingen - 11 of which are cobbled - in Belgium's cycling hinterland, from Antwerp to Oudenaarde.

The gap is six minutes now for the six leaders as they pass through the town of Sint-Niklaas, which has fans out in their droves - many of which waving the yellow and black Lion of Flanders flag.

There was a rousing reception this morning for home favourite Tom Boonen, the triple Ronde winner. He's one of four previous winners lining up today. The others? Norway's Alexander Kristoff, Belgian veteran Stijn Devolder and that man Sagan.

There's an extremely convivial atmosphere in the pack now as riders chat among themselves and catch up with old buddies. The joint race favourites Sagan and Greg van Avermaet are chewing the fat while Gilbert has dropped for a third time, on this occasion to check his rear brakes. The gap is up to four minutes now, with the two chasers a minute further back.

And if you have to see one picture from the start today, this is it... Peter Sagan, the defending champion and man in the rainbow stripes, pulling a wheelie on the start ramp. Pure class from the man who recently claimed that "living your life is more important than racing".

Some scenes from the start at Antwerp this morning, courtesy of Velon.

Numerous riders - including the Belgian champion Philippe Gilbert - taking the opportunity to answer a call of nature. This happens frequently in big races after riders nervously over-hydrate themselves in the start pen. Once the break goes there's always a chance for a pee during the ensuing lull. The gap grows to two minutes.

It was British youngster McNally who made the first move inside the opening few hundred metres today. He rides for the Wanty-Gobert team whose rider Antoine Demoitie was killed during last year's Gent-Wevelgem. The two riders trying to bridge over are Edward Planckaert (Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise) and André Looij (Roompot). The gap is growing fast - over a minute now.

The six riders who are out ahead are: Mark McNally (Wanty-Gobert), Oliviero Troia (UAE Emirates), Julien Duval (AG2R-La Mondiale), Stef Van Zummeren and Michael Goolaerts (both Veranda's Willems Crelan) and Julien Morice (Direct Energie). They have 30 seconds over the pack with two other riders still trying to close the gap.

It's a sunny but fresh day in Belgium with the temperature currently 12 degrees, set to rise to 18 degrees later in the day. There has been some rain over the past two days, however, and so some of the cobbled sections may be rather muddy.

ATTACK: Two riders nip off the front, two more join, and then two others bridge over. There are another two trying to close the gap now... action from the outset.

And that's it! After a slight delay - during which some of the favourites, including world champion Peter Sagan, were off the back of the bunch in the neutral zone - the race commissaire throws down the flag and the 101th edition of the Rnde is under way.