Jasper Philipsen won the opening stage of the Tour de France in a sprint to the line, while defending champion Tadej Pogačar finished safely on Saturday.

A fourth Tour win will draw Pogačar level with British rider Chris Froome for the fifth-most wins of all time. Merckx, Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain have won cycling’s biggest race five times. Pogačar’s team is formidable. He will be supported by experienced all-rounders and climbers.