12:05 PM.
For the first time, Huang Chong was in the White Jersey's starting position at the very front of the peloton, beginning today's race.
After watching the Yellow Jersey start from the front for 12 consecutive stages, swapping into a forward position today gave him a true taste of the race's dramatic ups and downs.
However, there was no doubt that the four classification jersey wearers starting at the front of the peloton today represented the strongest riders in each category of this year's Tour de France.
General Classification Yellow Jersey: Pogačar.
Dash King Green Jersey: Girmay.
King of the Mountains Polka Dot Jersey (by proxy): Vingegaard.
Best Young Rider White Jersey: Huang Chong.
As for Evenepoel, who had started at the front of the group wearing the White Jersey by proxy for the first twelve stages, he was now naturally back in the peloton.
And as the starting official fired the starting pistol, the race officially began.
