Tour de France Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email France: The best photographs from the opening weekend of the 95th Tour de France Sun 6 Jul 2008 08.49 EDT First published on Sun 6 Jul 2008 08.49 EDT Cyclists pass a bridge on the outskirts of Brest as they embark on the first stage of the Tour de France on Saturday Photograph: Bas Czerwinski/AP Share on Facebook Share on Twitter The 197.5km journey winds through the countryside from Brest to Plumelec Photograph: PATRICK HERTZOG/AFP Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Spectators enjoy a spot of lunch as a stream of cyclists flies past them Photograph: Nicolas Bouvy/EPA Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Tired riders coast downhill between wheat fields as they are cheered on by supporters Photograph: Bogdan Cristel/Reuters Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Spanish rider Alejandro Valverde celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the first stage ahead of Philippe Gilbert Photograph: Patrick Hertzog/AFP Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Caisse d'Epargne rider Valverde puts on his yellow winner's jersey Photograph: Jasper Juinen/Getty Share on Facebook Share on Twitter The second stage of the Tour de France on Sunday took the riders from Auray to Saint-Brieuc Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP Share on Facebook Share on Twitter A Breton's flag waves in the sky as the pack rides into the distance on the 164.5km second stage Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Valverde attempts to put his rain jacket on during the race Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP Share on Facebook Share on Twitter A sea of colour sweeps through the streets of western France Photograph: Bas Czerwinski/AP Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Thor Hushovd of Norway, riding for Credit Agricole, crosses the line to win stage two Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Getty Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Topics Tour de France Cycling Tour de France 2008