It all kicks off in Leeds today with the 2014 Tour de France opening ceremony before riders line up for the Grand Depart and two gruelling days battling the hills and dales of Yorkshire.
Stage one on Saturday is 190km of toil from Leeds to Harrogate.
On Sunday riders continue to Sheffield, notching up another 201km.
If you have any race ambitions, there’s nothing like a bit of high-end kit to help you start thinking – and feeling – like a pro. Check out our five top picks for would-be road racers…
1. NeilPryde made their name in windsurfing kit, and turned their decades of experience in aerodynamics to bike design. Their best-selling Nazare (previously named the Alize) is the perfect, all round-race bike. It took the United Healthcare Pro Cycling team to over 90 podiums in 2013, and scored an impressive four-and-a-half out of five stars in Cycling Plus magazine. RRP is £2800 – we have a demo bike in store for you to try before you buy.
2. Mavic’s HC bib shorts keep everything in its place and feature progressive cushioning and Skin Power tech fabric for solid muscle support. RRP £120.
3.Staying with Mavic and their top-end HC range, the matching jersey is the perfect summer riding top. Ergonomic seams map body contours for enhanced comfort and air mesh inserts aid cooling. RRP £88.
4. Galibier shoes scream racing DNA and have stiffness-boosting carbon comp outsole. RRP £135.
5. Finally – how about investing in some custom-tuned training, courtesy of our British Champion triathlete fitness expert Tom Sturdy? Hire a Powertap wheelset from us for £100/month to gather power data from your rides, and Tom will crunch the feedback to design a training programme specific to your needs.
Powertap wheelsets are also available to buy at £799 for the pair, £699 for just the rear, or buy a rear Powertap hub for £599 and we’ll custom-build a wheel for you.
Click here to find out more about Powertap rental and fitness testing.