Key events

1h ago Girmay claims the intermediate sprint
3h ago Big breakaway group forms
3h ago The race begins!
4h ago Preamble

47km to go. "France is watching you. Everyone is watching you today. I expect full commitment with no doubts or regrets from Kevin Vauquelin today," sports director Daryl Impey tells the Netcompany Ineos rider in the break over race radio. I feel energized and inspired even though it is not directed at me.

One of the stronger messages sent over race radio to viewers, all pre-approved beforehand. Most add little value, yet Pogacar's "I am finished, I am spent," from 2023 remains hard to surpass.

Jeremy Whittle

The temperature in Foix feels intense, similar to southern Spain in August, with fans seeking shade and staying out of direct sunlight. Roads leading to the finish line were softening while most spectators clustered beneath umbrellas or trees along the route.

For the Tour followers the main challenge involved relocating the former Foix press room from its metal structure beside the Ariege river, which offered a fine riverside spread. Cooling off in the water while dining had been standard practice. That option is unavailable this year.

55km to go. Leaders Matthias Vacek (Lidl-Trek), Alex Kirsch (Cofidis) and Jan Tratnik (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) tackle a swift downhill toward the final categorized ascent, the Col de Montsegur. Vacek seems to contribute less at the front than his two companions, likely because his team leader Mads Pedersen sits in the chase group.

The three hold a 50-second advantage. Attacks are expected from behind and the main 29-rider break should split on Montsegur, which stretches 6.9km at an average 6.6 percent gradient.

59km to go. Images from a sweltering fourth stage of the Tour de France.

Joan and Andy H report from the roadside of stage four:

The peloton passed at the base of the climb after Quillan. It registers 44 degrees here and both the break and the main field moved slowly, even Pogacar. I cannot understand how they continue.

66km to go. The peloton has eased its speed and collects feed bags containing food and frozen items. They trail by 7min 28secs. The yellow jersey is likely to change hands today with Traen and Quinn as the probable beneficiaries. The Norwegian could become the first wearer of the maillot jaune with an ash-colored ligature.

Alex Kirsch (Cofidis) has bridged to Vacek and Tratnik, creating a trio at the front with a 24-second margin.

75km to go. Jan Tratnik (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek) press on and lead by 45 seconds over the Col du Coudons. Behind them Mads Pedersen accelerates on the plateau at the summit.

A crash occurs at the rear of the group involving British rider Jake Stewart (NSN). He received several minutes of attention from medical staff.

80km to go. Sam Bass suggests a cycling-themed board game. I need to acquire it!

I agree that Carcassonne (the board game) can feel repetitive. As someone who owns over 100 board games I suggest Flamme Rouge instead. It avoids standard dice rolls and chance elements. The card mechanics are straightforward yet clever and they simulate race situations such as drafting and slipstreaming. It becomes especially engaging when a rider bonks after expending high-energy cards too soon.
I have enjoyed your coverage during this TdF. It has accompanied me through these quiet summer days.

82km to go. The break tackles the second-category Col de Coudons. It resembles a cauldron today with minimal shade available. Vacek and Tratnik have moved ahead by 15 seconds.

After securing green jersey points Girmay and Philipsen have eased and are returning to the main field, which remains led by UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider Nils Politt. He is earning his wages this afternoon.

85km to go. An earlier mistake in my email address has now been fixed.

Hopes, ideas, forecasts, Seixasmania, cassoulet suggestions and other thoughts can be sent to the address above or andy.mcgrath.casual@guardian.co.uk

Girmay wins the intermediate sprint

89km to go. At the sprint in Quillan the Eritrean finishes first among the fast finishers ahead of Jasper Philipsen and Mads Pedersen.

Their group's advantage has grown to 4min 30secs. Torsten Traen (Uno-X Mobility) is the highest-placed rider in the group at 5min 6secs behind Pogacar. Sean Quinn (EF Education-EasyPost) sits 5min 34secs back. Should their lead continue to expand they may view the yellow jersey as achievable rather than merely a stage victory.

117km to go. The sizable break crests the third-category Col du Paradis where Alex Molenaar sprints ahead of Michael Valgren to collect two King of the Mountains points. Their margin stands at 3 mins 5secs.

The camera lingers briefly on Decathlon CMA CGM Team leader Paul Seixas. How do you expect the highly regarded French youngster to perform at the Tour? Or might another rider emerge as the surprise of this event? Share your views and consult Jeremy Whittle's preview article on him while I step away for a meal.

124km to go. Conditions remain fiercely hot across the Aude with temperatures at 36 degrees Celsius. It is far from pleasant in the sunshine.

Riders keep themselves composed by dousing with water from bottles, consuming slushies and placing ice packs inside their jerseys. (Not literal socks for feet). Soigneurs have worked hard filling coolers with supplies.

130km to go. Alex Molenaar (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) crosses the fourth-category Col des Bedos first.

UAE Team Emirates-XRG powerhouse Nils Politt, known for his striking smile and powerful legs, has spent the past half hour on the front reducing the deficit to 3mins 19 secs.

135km to go. TNT Sports commentators discuss cassoulet. Since my early Tours more than 15 years ago colleagues have enjoyed visiting Occitanie for this local specialty and shared that enthusiasm.

Beans, sausages, bacon, duck, goose, mutton and chicken legs simmer in a hot pot: a filling meal suited to cooler winter days. It is unsuitable during a hot summer and no riders will sample it. Yet for supporters and media when in Carcassonne...

140km to go. The stage start town Carcassonne shares its name with a board game focused on constructing roads and terrain. I found it unengaging during my single attempt, perhaps because only two players participated. It cannot compare to Catan.

148km to go. Seventeen of the Tour's 23 teams feature in this large escape with realistic prospects. Their lead measures 3mins 45secs.

The two squads absent from the move, UAE and Visma-Lease a Bike, control the peloton to protect their star riders. Decathlon CMA CGM Team, XDS Astana and Tudor also miss out, leaving their riders likely facing criticism from team staff.

Large breakaway escapes

155km to go. The peloton spreads across the road content with a pause in intensity. Rider after rider launched attacks creating a 34-strong group. Such a large number may hinder cohesion.

Notable riders ahead include former world champion Mads Pedersen, Jasper Stuyven, sprinter Jasper Philipsen, four-time Tour stage winner Michael Matthews, Biniam Girmay and French champion Romain Gregoire.

The complete list of escapees (surnames only): Pedersen, Simmons, Vacek, Quinn, Valgren, Steinhauser, Denz, Tratnik, Vauquelin, Van Mechelen, Stannard, Stuyven, Eenkhoorn, Philipsen, Debruyne, Planckaert, Matthews, Traen, Girmay, Frigo, Zimmermann, Izagirre, Kirsch, Castrillo, Oliveira, Garcia Pierna, Gregoire, Costiou, Delettre, Hermans, Van Moer, Molenaar, Nicolau and Van den Broeck.

165km to go. Subtle interactions appear in every move. A UAE rider surges forward followed quickly by a Visma-Lease a Bike rider. Neither team wants the other to gain an edge.

Two Netcompany Ineos riders attempt a move. The squad once known as Sky, which dominated the Tour in the past, will target stage wins this summer. 2018 winner Geraint Thomas serves as their Director of Racing.

174km to go. 14 riders have formed a lead group including Jasper Stuyven and Mads Pedersen yet the chase continues.

Absence of ITV coverage also means no stirring theme music. Enjoy it once more:

British viewer Glenn Macdonald-Jones shares strong views on free-to-air highlights.

The post-race discussion on Channel 5 lacks the depth previously offered by ITV4 because it simply does not exist. It is poor.

Off we go!

181km to go. The peloton passes kilometre zero following a lengthy neutralized rollout from Carcassonne. Remco Evenepoel suffered a flat tyre during this section: the ideal time for such an issue with no risk of losing time.

A fierce contest will unfold to join the day's break. The first attacker is US champion Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek).

Respected cycling journalist William Fotheringham believes this stage could suit experienced riders such as Michal Kwiatkowski or Magnus Cort. Consult his team-by-team preview here.

Yorkshire's Tom Pidcock comments on yesterday's temperatures: "I have never raced in such demanding heat before. It was extreme. Like a battlefield."

The stage departs Carcassonne in five minutes. With its cobbled lanes and battlements that might have been sketched by a child the enchanting fortified town attracts many visitors.

I hold pleasant recollections too: I watched England defeat Panama 6-1 during the 2018 World Cup in a local bar. Jesse Lingard's final goal for England perhaps?

Pogacar and Vingegaard remain level on overall time yet the Slovenian delivered an early mental advantage yesterday. UAE Team Emirates-XRG took control when it was unnecessary to act.

The gap he created over rivals in a 300-metre sprint looked impressive. He appears dominant ahead of the more demanding mountain stages.

As Jeremy Whittle observed in his report Pogacar's 22nd Tour stage win sparked discussion about him approaching Mark Cavendish's record of 35 victories but the Slovenian dismissed the idea. "It remains distant," he stated.

"Perhaps today marked my final win. I choose to focus on the present and savor this success. I prefer not to consider Mark's record. I will simply proceed."

No major contenders have lost ground so far yet one underperformer yesterday was Cian Uijtdebroeks. The Movistar leader finished a minute behind Pogacar and also encountered cramp during the opening team time trial.

The newcomer once viewed as a potential grand tour talent now trails the Slovenian by 3min 24secs. A setback.

Breakfast update: we remain in south-west France where a pain au chocolat is called a chocolatine. Certain regions further east refer to the pastry as a petit pain au chocolat.

A potential confusion for any visitor entering a local bakery without prior knowledge.

Preamble

We travel through Cathar and cassoulet territory for the 2026 Tour de France's opening all-French stage. It covers a rolling 181.9km from historic Carcassonne to Foix across four categorized climbs.

Although the climbing is less severe than yesterday the heat will intensify with forecasts reaching 40 degrees Celsius. This reflects the challenging conditions of a modern Tour held in July amid climate change.

Riders will consume numerous water bottles and rely on ice packs at the neck. Stage three winner and new race leader Tadej Pogacar has completed extensive heat preparation yet considers racing in such conditions risky without proper cooling.