Prior to the start of today's sixth stage, won by Kazakhstan's Alexey Lutsenko, the director of sports at France Televisions Laurent Eric Le Lay tweeted that the race had enjoyed record viewing figures on their channel.

"After five stages, 24.5 million French people have already watched the Tour de France on France Télévisions," tweeted Le Lay.

"It is a record and it is eight million more compared to 2019."

The record viewing audience on French television may be down to the fact that protocols are in place to limit the attendance of spectators.

Spectators have been told to stay two metres away from riders, and are being asked to wear masks and use hand sanitiser if they are at the roadside.

A total of 700,000 masks are available, with half of them designed to be worn by crowds.

After stage six, Britain's Adam Yates holds the yellow jersey, leading by three seconds from Slovenia’s Primož Roglič, with Roglic's compatriot Tadej Pogacar seven seconds off the race lead.

The race is due to conclude on September 20 on the Champs-Elysees in Paris.