Tour de France 2013: stage one – in pictures

The Riders watch jets from the 'Patrouille de France' aerobatic team performing a flight demonstration before the start of the stage Photograph: Nicolas Bouvy/EPA

And they're off – the peloton leaves the start of stage one Photograph: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Some young fans have got themselves a good vantage point and cheer on the peloton as it approaches Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Cycling fans with a flag featuring a Moor's head, the Corsican emblem, cheer as the riders pass Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

Not a sight that you see everyday Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

There's no time to stop and check out interesting architecture Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

The peloton cuts through the Corsican countryside Photograph: Pascal Pochard Casabianca/AFP/Getty Images

Chris Froome, of whom much is expected of in the Tour Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

Presumably the fancy dress shop had run out of Robin outfits and this was the best they could do Photograph: Benoit Tessier/Reuters

Juan Antonio Flecha of Vacansoleil-DCM leads the breakaway group Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Alberto Contador isn't going to lose his specs Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

The pack rides past a beach Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

These fans are going nowhere fast as they cheer as the breakaway group with Lars Boom, left, passes in Ghisonaccia Photograph: Laurent Cipriani/AP

Five kilometres from the finish, there's a big crash Photograph: Stephane Mantey/Pool/EPA

The aftermath of the crash – Murilo Antoniobil Fischer, on floor in blue left, is treated by a medic and a bloodied Tony Martin, centre on floor, sits in the road with a forlorn look on his face Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Martin is tended to by a medic Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Team Sky's Geraint Thomas looks to be in a bit of pain Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters

Meanwhile at the finish line, farce awaits … the team bus of Orica-Greenedge hits and gets stuck under the finish banner a few minutes before the riders are due to arrive and finish the stage. It's no wonder the driver looks fed up Photograph: John Berry/Getty Images

Thankfully the bus is nowhere to be seen as the pack sprint for the line Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

Marcel Kittel of Team Argos-Shimano has the legs to just take first place Photograph: Agence Zoom/Getty Images

Thankfully he's got enough left in the tank to make it up to celebrate and take the yellow jersey Photograph: John Berry/Getty Images