Tour de France on Twitter: Riders get ready for opening stage

Race numbers, last minute bike checks, good luck wishes... Tour de France riders take to social media on the opening day of the 2016 Tour de France

Riders taking part in the 2016 Tours de France have been taking to social media on Saturday morning prior to the race start in Mont-Saint-Michel to show the world they are ready for the big race.

It's now tradition for riders to tweet a photo of their race number before the opening stage, and riders did not disappoint with a flurry of pictures of race numbers in various stages of being pinned onto jerseys.

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Defending champion Chris Froome (Sky) is the rider with the number one on his back...

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He's taking it in his stride.

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It's Fabian Cancellara's last Tour de France.

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British sprint star Mark Cavendish is one of the favourites to take the opening stage win.

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Cavendish's sprint rival Marcel Kittel was more concerned with his seating arrangements.

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No photos for Tejay van Garderen, just a bit of pre-race focus.

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Alberto Contador found time for the fans.

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A dream come true.

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It's not just about the riders.

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With wet and windy conditions forecast on the coastal route, some were bracing themselves for a tough opening day.

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Alejandro Valverde looked relaxed on the Movistar team bus as they made their way to the start.

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A belated good luck message from GB team pursuiters Ed Clancy and Owain Doull to Geraint Thomas.

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It's a frantic time for mechanics, not just the riders, as they put the last-minute touches to riders' bikes.

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Team cars fully loaded up and ready.

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But mostly, the riders just want to get on with it...

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The opening stage of the 2016 Tour de France on Saturday (July 2) takes riders from Mont-Saint-Michel for 188km to Utah Beach.

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