Jens Voigt is the powerhouse behind an escape that has been away from the very start - they have six minutes after 100-kilometres racing...

The sole interest for the peloton on the long, straight road from Luxembourg is this wind-machine...

Egoi Martinez seems to be playing with George Hincapie's backside - is there something we need to know about these two..?

Robbie McEwen doesn't seem to see the funny side of Valverde's humour...

Florian Brard isn't laughing at all - it's too hot to be carrying all those bottles!

Credit Agricole assumes its leadership duties and sets the pace...

Unai Etxebarria leads the escape through a town in Belgium...they are still five minutes in front!

Bradley Wiggins is one of many riders fetching water today - it's about 33oC...

The Tour passes through Vielsalm in Belgium - with Tom Boonen very visible for his public...

Belgian fans greet the Tour near Verviers - it looks like there's a national holiday here..!

Thor Hushovd looks a bit weary as the hils begin to bite…

Voigt looks the strongest as the break slips to a two-minute lead at the frontier with The Netherlands...

Disaster strikes at the back of the peloton - Alejandro Valverde has crashed and is out of the race!

Surprisingly, it is Jose Luis Arrieta who is the strongest escaper - he is alone in front with ten-kilometres to go...

Matthias Kessler wins stage three into Valkenburg, after attacking on the Cauberg with three-kilometres left...

Tom Boonen becomes race-leader...