Tour de France Stage 1, 2 & 3 Photo Highlights
- by Mark Gunter
- Published: 5 July 2011
Australian sports photographer Mark Gunter has joined the 2011 Tour de France and is presenting highlights from the world’s most popular cycling race here.
In this set are the highlights from the presentation and Stages 1, 2 and 3 where the peloton first tackled the 191km route from Passage du Gois La Barre-de-Monts to Mont des Alouettes Les Herbiers followed by the 23 km Team Time Trial and then the 198km journey from Olonne-sur-Mer to Redon. 
Alberto Contador leaves his pre race pres conference, after several tough questions were given to him.
The opening ceremony was held in a collosium at a theme park.
Cadel Evans was in good spirits at the opening ceremony and was welcomed by the mainly French people in the audience.
The Tour caravan, which includes several bizarre and oversized advertising vehicles makes its way through a small town during stage one.
Phillipe Gilbert tok out the thrilling finale to stage one. Cadel Evans took second with Thor Hushovd taking third place.
Phillipe Gilbert dons the leaders jersey.
With a great show of strength and team work Garmin-Cervelo won the team time trial over Cadel Evans BMC team by four seconds.
Cadel Evans leads BMC during the team time trial.
There was plenty going on in the start area before stage 3.
Stage 3 finished in the city of Redon and the riders put on great show for the thousands who came out to see the race.
Tyler Farrar kept up Garmin-Cervelo’s great early form in this years tour.
Tyler Farrar meets his team mates after his first Tour de France win.
Thor Hushovd remain the races leader after stage 3.
Purchasing: If you would like to purchase any of these photos or a complete set, please email Mark Gunter and include the photo number: [email protected]. The format and details will be confirmed after the 2011 Tour de France. PLUS a poster will also be published after the race: Email now to reserve your copy.
Author Profile: Australian sports photographer Mark Gunter has won the Cycling Australia Photographer of the Year for four of the past eight years and his photos regularly appear throughout international press. Mark is one of the 240 accredited photographers following the 2011 Tour de France and presenting the highlights of this years race on Bicycles Network Australia and daily updates on the Mark Gunter Tour de France Facebook page.
An extensive collection of photographs are available online: www.markgunter.com.au
