Welcome to live coverage of stage seven from Le Mans to Chateauroux, a pancake-flat 218km slog into the centre of France which, unlike its start town (thankfully), won't go on for 24 hours.

Talabardon, who engineered the breakaway from the 4th kilometre, punctures and needs a wheel change. Despite the deluge this morning at the start, the rain has stopped for the time being - although the sky still looks rather threatening. The gap keeps on growing: 4:45 now.

Interesting to see two riders from Mark Madiot's FDJ in the break. Also, yet again there's a French presence in the leading group - as there has been in every break so far in the Tour. The gap's almost hit the three minute mark already.

ATTACK: Four rider ping off the front. They are Pablo Urtasun Perez (Euskaltel), Yannick Talabardon (Saur-Sojasun), Gianni Meersman and Mickael Delage (both FDJ).

Today's flat stage is tailor-made for Mark Cavendish of HTC - who will have the extra motivation of notching a win in the same town where his first ever Tour de France victory came, back in 2008. Incredibly, this is the first proper flat stage in the whole race - and we're already onto day seven.

They're off! Just one confirmed withdrawal to report today: Vasil Kiryienka (Movistar) finished outside the time limit yesterday and is no longer in the race. QuickStep Sylvain Chavanel, according to reports, is on the brink of throwing in the towel after his crash two days ago...

There has been yet more heavy rain at the start in Le Mans, although the forecast is to improve: scattered showers and sun. This suits some riders to a tee: already Matt Goss (HTC) has tweeted "Woohoo, rain! No such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes!" while Geraint Thomas of Sky penned this brillaint nugget: "More wind and more rain today... So much better than 40degrees!! Let's get it on!!"

After a 180km transfer from yesterday's finish, the remaining 193 riders are gathered in the neutral zone about to get this stage underway. The race will get going at 11:20.