Tour de France: stage three – in pictures

Spectators, shielding themselves from the sun with hats distributed by sponsors, wait for the start Photograph: Laurent Cipriani/AP

Bradley Wiggins of Britain signs autographs before the start of the third stage of the Tour, which takes in over 123 miles of western France, starting in Olonne sur Mer, Vendee region, and finishing in Redon, Brittany Photograph: Laurent Cipriani/AP

Cadel Evans of Australia, wearing the best climber's dotted jersey, Philippe Gilbert of Belgium, wearing the best sprinter's green jersey, Thor Hushovd of Norway, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, and Geraint Thomas of Britain, wearing the best young rider's white jersey, from left to right, wait to take the start of the third stage Photograph: Laurent Cipriani/AP

A fan takes pictures of the pack riding past the Chateau d'Apremont Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

Supporters hold glasses of sparkling white wine as the pack rides past Photograph: Pascal Rossignol/Reuters

Spectators shield themselves from the sun as the pack with Thor Hushovd of Norway, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, centre seen under umbrella, passes near Coex Photograph: Laurent Cipriani/AP

Two fans, standing on a hay bale, cheer on the pack Photograph: Joel Sagat/AFP/Getty Images

The pack rides past a cross of Christ in the village of Les Lucs sur Boulogne Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

The pack pass a lake and a colourful spectator Photograph: Guillaume Horcajuelo/EPA

Britain's Mark Cavendish, of the HTC team, has his bicycle checked by a mechanic Photograph: Pascal Pavani/AFP/Getty Images

An eccentric supporter waves to the peleton as they pass through the countryside in western France Photograph: Pascal Rossignol/Reuters

The pack rides over the 3.3km Saint-Nazaire bridge, which is the biggest climb on a pretty flat stage three Photograph: Pascal Pavani/AFP/Getty Images

Norway's Thor Hushovd, who holds the overall leader's yellow jersey, rides with Belgium's Tom Boonen Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

Tyler Farrar of the US, third from left, crosses the finish line ahead of Romain Feillu of France, fourth from left, and Jose Joaquin Rojas of Spain, fifth from left Photograph: Laurent Rebours/AP

Farrar becomes the first American ever to win a stage on Independence Day Photograph: Pascal Pavani/AFP/Getty Images