Kate Middleton and Prince William have welcomed the Tour de France to Yorkshire, as the first UK leg of the world's great cycling race gets underway.
The Duke and Duchess were joined by Prince Harry to welcome the world's best cyclists for the "Grand Depart" of the 101st Tour de France.
The Red Arrows also held a spectacular aerial display.
Kate Middleton, Harry and Wills saw off the cyclists
Cyclists gathered outside the 18th century stately home Harewood House, where they took off their helmets as they were greeted with a rendition of the French and British national anthems, performed by the Band of the Corps of the Royal Engineers.
The Duke, the Duchess and Prince Harry chatted with the lead riders, including British reigning Tour de France champion Chris Froome. Then Kate cut the ribbon to officially start the race.
Tour De Yorkshire: Leeds To Harrogate
Tour De Yorkshire
CYCLING-FRA-GBR-TDF2014(01 of81)
Australia's Simon Gerrans and Britain's Mark Cavendish fall near the finish line at the end of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / LIONEL BONAVENTURE (Photo credit should read LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LIONEL BONAVENTURE via Getty Images)
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Britain's Mark Cavendish injured receives medical assistance after a fall near the finish line at the end of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / JEFF PACHOUD (Photo credit should read JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JEFF PACHOUD via Getty Images)
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Britain's Mark Cavendish injured receives medical assistance after a fall near the finish line at the end of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / JEFF PACHOUD (Photo credit should read JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JEFF PACHOUD via Getty Images)
CYCLING-FRA-GBR-TDF2014(04 of81)
Britain's Mark Cavendish injured receives medical assistance after a fall near the finish line at the end of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / JEFF PACHOUD (Photo credit should read JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JEFF PACHOUD via Getty Images)
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Britain's Mark Cavendish, injured, crosses the finish line at the end of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / LIONEL BONAVENTURE (Photo credit should read LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LIONEL BONAVENTURE via Getty Images)
CYCLING-FRA-GBR-TDF2014(06 of81)
Britain's Mark Cavendish, injured, crosses the finish line after a fall at the end of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / JEFF PACHOUD (Photo credit should read JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JEFF PACHOUD via Getty Images)
CYCLING-FRA-GBR-TDF2014-PODIUM-ROYALS(07 of81)
Germany's Marcel Kittel celebrates his overall leader yellow jersey, received from Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (R), Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (2ndR), and Prince Harry (L), on the podium at the end of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / ERIC FEFERBERG (Photo credit should read ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ERIC FEFERBERG via Getty Images)
Le Tour de France 2014 - Stage One(08 of81)
HARROGATE, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Marcel Kittel of Germany and Team Giant-Shimano is awarded the points leader's green jersey by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (R) after Kittel won stage one of the 2014 Tour de France from Leeds to Harrogate on July 5, 2014 in Harrogate, United Kingdom. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) (credit:Doug Pensinger via Getty Images)
Le Tour de France 2014 - Stage One(09 of81)
HARROGATE, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Jens Voigt of Germany and Trek Factory Racing takes the podium and is awarded the king of the mountains polka dot hersey by Prince Harry (R) after stage one of the 2014 Tour de France from Leeds to Harrogate on July 5, 2014 in Harrogate, United Kingdom. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) (credit:Doug Pensinger via Getty Images)
Le Tour de France 2014 - Stage One(10 of81)
HARROGATE, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Marcel Kittel of Germany and Giant Shimano celebrates winning stage one as Prince Harry, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and William Duke of Cambridge look on during the 2014 Tour de France, a 190km stage between Leeds and Harrogate, on July 5, 2014 in Harrogate, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) (credit:Bryn Lennon via Getty Images)
The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge And Prince Harry Attend The Tour De France Grand Depart(11 of81)
HARROGATE, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Prince Harry, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge pose with the winner of the overall race leader's yellow jersey Marcel Kittel of Germany and Team Giant-Shimano after he won stage one and claimed the over race lead in the 2014 Tour de France from Leeds to Harrogate on July 5, 2014 in Harrogate, United Kingdom. Spectators and residents prepare themselves and gather on the streets as they get ready to watch Stage 1 of the Tour de France on July 5, 2014 in Harrogate, United Kingdom. The world's greatest cycle race, the Tour de France starts for the first time in its history in Yorkshire this weekend. The event is expected to bring thousands of cycling fans to the region. (Photo by Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
CYCLING-FRA-GBR-TDF2014(12 of81)
Britain's Mark Cavendish injured receives medical assistance after a fall near the finish line at the end of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / JEFF PACHOUD (Photo credit should read JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JEFF PACHOUD via Getty Images)
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Germany's Marcel Kittel celebrates as he crosses the finish line ahead of Slovakia's Peter Sagan (R) at the end of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / ERIC FEFERBERG (Photo credit should read ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ERIC FEFERBERG via Getty Images)
CYCLING-FRA-GBR-TDF2014-LINE(14 of81)
Germany's Marcel Kittel (L) celebrates as he crosses the finish line ahead of Slovakia's Peter Sagan (C-R) at the end of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / ERIC FEFERBERG (Photo credit should read ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ERIC FEFERBERG via Getty Images)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(15 of81)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge talk to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg (2nd right, partially obscured) attend the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(16 of81)
Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(17 of81)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(18 of81)
The Duchess of Cambridge attends the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(19 of81)
Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walk along the street to celebrate the start of the Tour de France in Yorkshire at West Tanfield. (credit:Scott Heppell/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(20 of81)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge talk to crowds along the street to celebrate the start of the Tour de France in Yorkshire at West Tanfield. (credit:Scott Heppell/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(21 of81)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wave to the crowds gathered to celebrate the start of the Tour de France in Yorkshire at West Tanfield. (credit:Scott Heppell/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(22 of81)
The Duchess of Cambridge talks to members of the public, gathered to celebrate the start of the Tour de France in Yorkshire at West Tanfield. (credit:Scott Heppell/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(23 of81)
The Duchess of Cambridge talks to children gathered to celebrate the start of the Tour de France in Yorkshire at West Tanfield. (credit:Scott Heppell/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(24 of81)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wave to the crowds gathered to celebrate the start of the Tour de France in Yorkshire at West Tanfield. (credit:Scott Heppell/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(25 of81)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walk along the street to celebrate the start of the Tour de France in Yorkshire at West Tanfield. (credit:Scott Heppell/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(26 of81)
Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walk along the street to celebrate the start of the Tour de France in Yorkshire at West Tanfield. (credit:Scott Heppell/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(27 of81)
The Duke (partially obscured) and Duchess of Cambridge attends the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(28 of81)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(29 of81)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(30 of81)
Prince Harry talks to the crowd at the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(31 of81)
The of Cambridge talks to cyclist Mark Cavendish at the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(32 of81)
The Duchess of Cambridge talks to World Champion cyclist Rui Costa at the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(33 of81)
The of Cambridge talks to cyclist Mark Cavendish at the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(34 of81)
The Duchess of Cambridge talks to World Champion cyclist Rui Costa at the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(35 of81)
The Red Arrows perform a flypast during the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(36 of81)
The Duchess of Cambridge rider Geraint Thomas (centre left) as rider Mark Cavendish (front) looks on at the Grand Depart at Harewood House, near Leeds, at the start of the 2014 Tour de France. (credit:Asadour Guzelian/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(37 of81)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge along with Prince Harry pose for a picture in front of the Peleton at Harewood House, Leeds, Yorkshire. (credit:Tim Ireland/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(38 of81)
Gary Verity (second right) and Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour during the ceremonial start of The Tour De France 2014 in Leeds. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(39 of81)
Riders in the Tour de France head past The Headrow in Leeds during the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Natalie Marchant/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(40 of81)
Riders in the Tour de France head past The Headrow in Leeds during the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Natalie Marchant/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(41 of81)
The ceremonial start of The Tour De France 2014 in Leeds. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(42 of81)
Mark Cavendish and Chris Froome (front) lead the Grand Depart at the ceremonial start of The Tour De France 2014. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(43 of81)
Mark Cavendish (front) lead the Grand Depart at the ceremonial start of The Tour De France 2014. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(44 of81)
Mark Cavendish and Chris Froome (front) lead the Grand Depart at the ceremonial start of The Tour De France 2014. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(45 of81)
Mark Cavendish and Chris Froome (front) lead the Grand Depart at the ceremonial start of The Tour De France 2014. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(46 of81)
Crowds wait for the riders to arrive near Reeth as stage one of the Tour de France passes over the Grinton Moor, Yorkshire. (credit:Tim Goode/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(47 of81)
Mark Cavendish and Chris Froome (front) lead the Grand Depart at the ceremonial start of The Tour De France 2014. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(48 of81)
Team SKY riders Geraint Thomas (left) and Bernhard Eisel are surrounded by cycling fans in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Matt McGeehan/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(49 of81)
Crowds wait for the riders to arrive near Reeth as stage one of the Tour de France passes over the Grinton Moor, Yorkshire. (credit:Tim Goode/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(50 of81)
England Rugby coach Stuart Lancaster (centre), joins cycling fans in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Matt McGeehan/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(51 of81)
Arthen (left) and Lilwen Banning draw Cav with chalk on the road leading upto the finish Line, before stage one of the Tour de France in Harrogate, Yorkshire. (credit:Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(52 of81)
Arthen (right) and Lilwen Banning draw Cav with chalk on the road leading upto the finish Line, before stage one of the Tour de France in Harrogate, Yorkshire. (credit:Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(53 of81)
Crowds wait for the riders to arrive near Reeth as stage one of the Tour de France passes over the Grinton Moor, Yorkshire. (credit:Tim Goode/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(54 of81)
Cycling fans line The Headrow in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Matt McGeehan/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(55 of81)
A dog is dressed in a yellow jersey in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Ian Parker/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(56 of81)
Cricketer Timothy Bresnan (centre) holds a yellow balloon as he joins cycling fans in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Matt McGeehan/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(57 of81)
Cycling fans line the streets of Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Francesca Nelson/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(58 of81)
Spectators arrive by bike and on foot to watch as stage one of the Tour de France which passes through the village of Reeth, Yorkshire. (credit:John Giles/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(59 of81)
Cycling fans line The Headrow in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Natalie Marchant/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(60 of81)
Cycling fans line The Headrow in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Natalie Marchant/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(61 of81)
Cycling fans line The Headrow in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Natalie Marchant/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(62 of81)
Cycling enthusiasts dressed as onion sellers ahead of stage one of the Tour de France which passes through the village of Reeth, Yorkshire. (credit:John Giles/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(63 of81)
Cycling fans line the streets of Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Emma Sword/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(64 of81)
Cycling enthusiasts dressed as onion sellers ahead of stage one of the Tour de France which passes through the village of Reeth, Yorkshire. (credit:John Giles/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(65 of81)
Cycling enthusiasts dressed as onion sellers ahead of stage one of the Tour de France which passes through the village of Reeth, Yorkshire. (credit:John Giles/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(66 of81)
Cycling fans line the streets of Leeds as the tour caravan sets off ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Teilo Colley/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(67 of81)
Cycling fans line the streets of Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(68 of81)
Cycling fans line the streets of Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(69 of81)
Mike King (left) with wife Frances and sons Oliver (centre) and James take their position near the finish line before the finish of stage one of the Tour de France in Harrogate, Yorkshire. (credit:Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(70 of81)
Emma Lightbody (left) and Hilary Dugdale take their position near the finish line before the finish of stage one of the Tour de France in Harrogate, Yorkshire. (credit:Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(71 of81)
Chris Froome fans arrive in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(72 of81)
A young Tour Maker in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(73 of81)
People arrive in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage One - Leeds to Harrogate(74 of81)
People arrive in Leeds ahead of the Grand Depart, marking the start of 2014 Tour De France. (credit:Anthony Chappel-Ross/PA Wire)
Cycling - Tour de France Preview - Day Five(75 of81)
A sign for Paris on the Pennine hilltops near Reeth ahead of Stage 1 of the Tour de France between Leeds and Harrogate. (credit:John Giles/PA Wire)
Le Tour de France 2014 - Stage One(76 of81)
HARROGATE, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Fans cheer the Welcome to Yorkshire caravan on Grinton Moor during the Stage One of Le Tour de France on July 5, 2014 in Harrogate, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) (credit:Gareth Copley via Getty Images)
Le Tour de France 2014 - Stage One(77 of81)
HARROGATE, ENGLAND - JULY 05: Fans dressed as French men greet each other on Grinton Moor during the Stage One of Le Tour de France on July 5, 2014 in Harrogate, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) (credit:Gareth Copley via Getty Images)
Le Tour de France 2014 - Stage One(78 of81)
HARROGATE, ENGLAND - JULY 05: The riders climb up Grinton Moor during the Stage One of Le Tour de France on July 5, 2014 in Harrogate, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) (credit:Gareth Copley via Getty Images)
Le Tour de France 2014 - Stage One(79 of81)
HARROGATE, ENGLAND - JULY 05: The riders climb up Grinton Moor during the Stage One of Le Tour de France on July 5, 2014 in Harrogate, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) (credit:Gareth Copley via Getty Images)
The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge And Prince Harry Attend The Tour De France Grand Depart(80 of81)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - JULY 5: The peloton arrives at Harewood House before the start of the start of the Tour de France on July 5, 2014 near Leeds, England. (Photo by Asadour Guzelian - WPA Pool/Getty Images) (credit:WPA Pool via Getty Images)
CYCLING-FRA-GBR-TDF2014(81 of81)
Riders wait for the start of the 190.5 km first stage of the 101st edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2014 between Leeds and Harrogate, northern England. The 2014 Tour de France gets underway on July 5 in the streets of Leeds and ends on July 27 down the Champs-Elysees in Paris. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:PAUL ELLIS via Getty Images)
Loud cheers erupted from the crowd as the RAF's Red Arrows performed a flyover that left a trail of red, white and blue vapour - the national colours of France and the UK.
Cycling fever has gripped the nation and hundreds of thousands of fans lined the streets of Leeds to watch the start of the race.
Spectators flocked from all over the country to cheer on Froome as he hopes to retain the winner's famous yellow jersey he won last year while excited locals will be hoping fellow Brit Mark Cavendish will pedal to victory in the first stage in his mother's home town of Harrogate.
The 198 racers enjoyed clear skies and bright sunshine as they left Leeds town hall at 11am in a leisurely ceremonial start, and began racing in earnest when they departed Harewood House.
The riders are pedalling from Leeds to Harrogate
Riders will pedal 190.5km from Leeds to Harrogate, weaving through the Yorkshire Dales and Moors and taking in three ferocious climbs.
Tomorrow they will arrive in York for a stage taking in some of the most challenging climbs in Britain, ending in Sheffield.
On Monday, the Tour moves south to Cambridge with a stage ending beneath the gaze of Buckingham Palace on The Mall in central London - which was also the final finishing line in the 2012 London Olympics cycling road race.
The Tour then goes to Ypres in Northern France to mark 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War.
After 21 stages and some 2,272 miles, riders will finish on the Champs Elysees in Paris on July 27.
Britons have won the past two Tours, and the nation is hoping we can continue our reign of dominance and retain the title.
Sir Bradley Wiggins, 34, claimed the crown in 2012 becoming the first British winner of the toughest cycling race on the planet, while Froome, 29, sped to victory last year.
The nation will be crossing its fingers that three is the magic number and Froome, who is the overwhelming favourite, can defend his title.
Up to three million people are expected to watch the Tour's two-day visit to Yorkshire.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who represents the Yorkshire constituency of Sheffield Hallam, and was at Harewood House to see the start, used Twitter to urge viewers watching the race to get on their bikes.
He wrote: "All eyes are on Yorkshire today for #TDF #GrandDepart - but if we want a lasting legacy we need to get more people cycling."