Tour de France: Grand Depart Dusseldorf

After a year of build up, the Tour de France finally made its return to Germany. But at this years edition of the race, it was Dusseldorf that put on a Tour de France Grand Depart spectacle

Pre Race Build Up / Team Presentation

Greg Van Avermaet Chills At The BMC Team Hotel Before The Team Presentation

The Team Sky Riders Depart The Team Bus

Peter Sagan Heads To The Team Presentation

Nairo Quintana Was All Smiles Ahead Of The Start

Froomey's Stunning Pinarello Gets Prepared For The Tour

Alberto Contador Signs On For His Final Tour de France

John Degenkolb Was All Smiles Before The Start Of The Tour

Race Hopeful Richie Porte Tests Out His Bike

Nobody Can Escape The Rainbow Stripes

Team Sky's Stunning 'One Off' White Pinarello Dogma F10

Green Jersey Contender Marcel Kittel Appreciates The Support From The Fans

Geraint Thomas Was Ready To Smash The Time Trial

The World Champion Was Happy To Stop For Photos With His Fans

Froomey Was Happy To Be Back At The Tour

Greg Van Avermaet Focuses Before His TDF Start

The World Champion's Bike Is Prepared For The Start Of The Tour

Alejandro Valverde Heads To The Team Presentation

Team BMC Arrive

Michal Kwiatkowski Tests Out His TT Bike

Chris Froome Was Determined To Defend His TDF Superiority

Stage 1 - Dusseldorf TT

The 2017 Tour de France kicked off with a wet individual time trial in the centre of Dusseldorf. With the roads being slippy and wet, it was a nervous start to the Tour for the riders.

The Riders Begin To Practise Out On The Course

Peter Sagan Warms Up Pre TT

Mark Cavendish Heads Out

Team Sky Boss Dave Brailsford Assists His Riders

Marcel Kittel Heads Back To The Team Bus

Nairo Quintana Heads Out For A Practise Ride

John Degenkolb Warms Up For His TT Effort

Peter Sagan Heads Back From His TT Ride

Thomas Voeckler Warms Up For His Final Tour de France

Philippe Gilbert Warms Up

Andre Greipel Flies Under The Flags

The Riders Begin To Head Out For Stage 1

Andre Greipel Weaves His Way Through The Crowds

One By One The Riders Head Out

Taylor Phinney Departs For His TT

Richie Porte Looks To Put Out A Solid TT Performace

Tony Martin Warms Up In Preperation For The Time Trial

The World Champion Looks Calm Before The Start

Marcel Kittel Starts His Tour de France Campaign Off In His Own Country

Chris Froome Warms Up On The Turbo Trainer

Alberto Contador Sets Off

Nairo Quintana Heads To The Start Line

Defending Champion Chris Froome Is The Last Rider To Set Off

Stage 2 - Dusseldorf Depart

After the Stage 1 Time Trial had been completed, it was time for the real racing to begin. A flat stage awaited the riders after the start in Dusseldorf. For Team Sky's Geraint Thomas, a special day in the yellow jersey awaits.