Four-time winner Chris Froome and 175 other riders set off on the first stage of the 2018 Tour de France on July 7. Cycling fans crowded the roadsides of the 201km ride to Fontenay-le-Comte. The main coastal route was well marshalled by police. Organizers hope the police will deter fans targeting Froome, who was only cleared to race last week after long-running suspicions of doping.