Yellow jersey holder David Zabriskie shakes Lance Armstrong's hand before the start of the second stage

Germany's Jan Ullrich rides with his T-Mobile team as they look to make an early impression on the Tour

Armstrong rides in the peloton during the 181.5km stage from Challans to Les Essarts

Overall leader Zabriskie is content to let his team do the work in pleasant riding conditions in western France

Armstrong's girlfriend, American singer Sheryl Crow, watches the stage unfold

The pack makes its way through the countryside towards Les Essarts with a few riders out alone upfront

A small group of riders stage a mini breakaway but they are soon caught as the finish line approaches

The race boils down to a fabulous sprint finish and Belgium's Tom Boonen (r) leads the charge

Boonen raises his arms in joy as the Belgian Quickstep rider outsprints Robbie McEwen to take victory

He puts on the green jersey for best sprinter - Zabriskie retains the yellow jersey as the peloton finished together