Hello!  Well, the forecast came true – the opening stage of this year’s race was mostly very, very wet!

Still the colour shone out and people came out to encourage and support the riders. It’s always a remarkable sight.

In the race itself, British rider Jacob Hennessy made a good start, taking the King of the Mountains jersey, while Mark Cavendish looked well after his recent illness and finished eigth. Chris Froome made a more discreet opening, finishing in the pack.

The stage win came brilliantly for Dutchman Jesper Asselman, who, suitably for the conditions, stormed past everyone, gathering a Yorkshire flag on the way. The expression on his face was amazing – such a great effort – which I’ve tried to capture here. With apologies to Bob Dylan for the adapted title, but it was crying out!

On Friday, the Women’s race starts as well as the men’s, so an absorbing day to come!

ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT MAXINE DODD

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