Tour de France 2014: stage two – in pictures

The stage started in front of a pack grandstand at York racecourse Photograph: Simon Wilkinson/REX/Simon Wilkinson/REX

A contrite Mark Cavendish appears before the press at the start with his arm in a sling after crashing out of the race Photograph: Tim Ireland/PA

Simon Gerrans, the rider Cavendish took out in the sprint on stage one, descends the podium at the signing-on ceremony: it's amazing he's even walking Photograph: Eric Feferberg/AFP/Getty Images

Taking in all the sights in the neutralised zone before the race proper begins, the peloton passes York Minster Photograph: Yoan Valat/EPA

Tour de France boss Christian Prudhomme, and the man reponsible for bringing the Tour to Yorkshire, Gary Verity, ride in the commissaires car ahead of the peloton Photograph: Laurent Cipriani/AP

Fans take their place on the climb of Holme Moss before the race passes through Photograph: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

The break of the day is established with Blel Kadri, David de la Cruz, Cyril Lemoine, Armindo Fonseca and Perrig Quemeneur Photograph: Eric Feferberg/AFP/Getty Images

The publicity caravan makes its way up Haworth high street. The caravan is made up of floats from sponsors, and most fling out freebies to onlookers. Adults have been caught fighting over these on the continent. No word of a lie Photograph: Ed Sykes/Action Images

Chris Froome, shielded by his team-mates, makes his way up one of the day's many climbs Photograph: Yoan Valat/EPA

The peloton divides itself over both lanes, avoiding the cat-eyes as it makes its way over the rolling Yorkshire countryside Photograph: Jean-Paul Pelissier/Reuters

The peloton makes its way over the early climb – the wonderfully named Côte de Blubberhouses Photograph: Bas Czerwinksi/EPA

The break makes its way up the cobbled climb of Haworth high street. There are more, far worse cobbles awaiting the peloton on stage five … Photograph: Ed Sykes/Action Images

Roy Curvers gets a push after a mechanical issue on Haworth High Street Photograph: Ed Sykes/Action Images

Bernhard Eisel adopts an aero position on a descent Photograph: Yoan Valat/EPA

Thousands of spectators line the climb out of Bradfield Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

Stage two saw the first dig by serial attacker and 'plucky underdog' of long standing, Thomas Voeckler. As with 90% of Voeckler's attacks, it came to nought Photograph: Eric Feferberg/AFP/Getty Images

An aerial shot from a helicopter shows the peloton swarming around a roundabout Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

A select group found themselves on the Jenkin Road climb. Locals will be pleased to hear that the professional peloton failed to dislodge local rider and writer 'James A' from the Strava KOM , though team Sky's David Lopez came close … Photograph: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

With searing attacks from Alberto Contador, Chris Froome, and stage winner Vincenzo Nibali, Jenkin Road saw the GC contenders show their cards for the first time in the race Photograph: Simon Wilkinson/REX/Simon Wilkinson/REX

At least Nibali got a kiss on the podium Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images