Tour de France 2022 LIVE - Fear of crosswinds as carnage looms, Tadej Pogacar, Primoz Roglic pray for survival

The ProTour riders don't look like they're getting back to the front of the race, which means Magnus Cort could sew up the jersey on the second climb. If Bystrom takes the point on offer that opens the window slightly, but even then would - I think - come down to GC placing, which would massively favour Magnus Cort.

On the narrow lane of the Côte d'Asnæs Indelukke (pronounce that as you like) Magnus Cort watches for Pierre Rolland, which presents an opprtunity for Cyril Barthe who leaps out of the saddle and accelerates (moderately) hard. Cort is alive to the move, diving on to Barthe's wheel. A pause, then Bystrom tries, taking Cort with him and leaving the B&B riders behind. Cort is too strong for him too, coming round to take the lead in the King of the Mountains competition.

"B&B Hotels have made a right mess of that," says Rob Hatch.

It could get worse for them, if they don't bring Cort and Bystrom back soon. They've been distanced and next climb isn't far down the road.

The first climb of the day is the TDF-styled Côte d'Asnæs Indelukke and although we're still around 3km they're going early. Are the B&B riders going to try and "work Magnus Cort over" as Sean Kelly thinks they will?

According to TDF Live:

"In 2013, aged 20 and riding for Cult Energy, Magnus Cort won stage 4 of the Tour of Denmark at Asnaes Indelukke, where he'll probably try and fight for the polka dot jersey today."

Yves Lampaert (QuickStep Alpha Vinyl) is the rightful owner of both yellow and green jerseys, but since he can't wear both at once, Wout van Aert is displaying the latter on his behalf. As the Belgian superstar returns to the convoy, I notice he has opted to show if off in onesie style, rather than the separate shirt and shorts combo that the maillot jaune has gone for. That tells us he's targeting the stage win and hoping to follow in Elisa Balsamo's tiremarks, by leaping into the overall lead as well.

Those of us hoping for early echelons look like you might be disappointed, as the breeze remains light and largely on their backs. If you've ever raced in Denmark - as I have on one unenjoyable occasion - you'll appreciate what a blessing that will be for the athletes. Plenty of sadistic folk on Twitter seem to be wishing carnage upon them, however.

Despite the peloton "being mean" to the breakers, allowing them little more than 90 seconds of advantage, it's enough for the Danish rider to be the overall leader on the road. He finished a very respectable 11th in yesterday's time trial, just 20 seconds behind Yves Lampaert.

When I referred to Cort-Nielsen as "local" earlier, I was being a little bit casual with my geography. He's actually from Bornholm, a Danish island possession to the South East of Sweden.

Trek-Segafredo's dark stripy number looks particularly fast. Mathieu van der Poels' new Alpecin-Deceuninck kit is a bit too close to Quick Step's and is guaranteed to confuse commentators (not to mention me). Am I the only one who's getting a bit bored of EF Education Easypost's quirky little numbers? Maybe focus a bit more on winning bike races that flogging lycra, lads.

190KM TO GO - ANYMORE FOR ANYMORE?

It rather it looks as if we might have our break of the day. The quartet already have two minutes on the bunch, which means if you missed it, you've missed out. The first stage(s) of the Tour de France are always a bit nervy as it is. With the wind predicted to play havoc, as well as the bridge they're all talking about, that's only going to be amplifying the stresses and anxieties. The sooner things settle down the better from the riders' perspective.

Prudy waves the flag, his driver's foot hits the floor the first greyhounds spring out of their traps. Local lad Magnus Cort Nielsen (EF Education Easypost) is the keenest to get away, and is joined by Sven Erik Bystrøm (Intermarche - Wanty - Gobert Materiaux), Pierre Rolland and Cyril Barthe (both B&B Hotels - KTM).

With three categorised climbs in the first half of the stage Rolland, I assume, is after the mountains points on offer. His assault on the same competition at the Dauphine was relentless and his team really worked to help him secure it. Bit harder in the Tour but I'm at least predicting him to be in the maillot a pois at the end of the day.

KM0 - DEPART REEL DELAYED

The familiar sight of a be-masked Christian Prudhomme pops his head out of the sunroof, flaps his arms (like an albatross, according to Carlton Kirby) to calm the eager beavers and make sure everyone is present and correct in the bunch.

It appears they aren't, as we pass the road marker and the red Skoda is still to speed away. Who forgot they were supposed to be riding the Tour de France today? Did Geraint Thomas divest himself of his gilet?

...To the first road stage of the Tour de France 2022. The peloton swarms the race director's car as they negotiate the road furniture and prepare for the racing to get underway