Medical checks and pre-race action

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The 189 riders of the 94th Tour de France underwent pre-race medical checks today in London. Tour doctors performed the standard physical examinations on the riders such as height, weight, lung capacity, etc. Originally aimed at ensuring that riders have no medical problems that should prevent them from riding, the medical checks are now mainly a prime opportunity for cycling journalists to capture the stars looking bizarrely tanned and thin.

While not being poked and prodded by the doctors, the riders hopped on their bicycles to spin their legs out in preparation for Saturday's 7.9 kilometre race against the clock. Most of the riders were treated to an odd change of pace as they were forced to ride on the left side of the road - something that comes naturally to the British and Australian riders like Wiggins, Evans, Rogers and O'Grady.