While the opening stage is expected to finish in a bunch sprint, what follows is an endlessly undulating route from York to Sheffield and a stage which could catch some riders off guard.

If it’s riders battling up punishing slopes that you want, then prepare to claim your place on the roadside for stage two. Here are some of the best vantage points on offer.

Holme Moss

There’s no shortage of climbs on stage two, with nine categorised ascents in total, and having previewed the route last weekend, Chris Froome believes it’s a “tough” start to the 2014 Tour.

Leaving York and taking in the Pennines, before heading east and dropping down into Sheffield, the stage could see some early time gaps form.

Cragg Vale, the longest continuous gradient in England, and Littleborough, the only town outside of Yorkshire set to welcome the peloton on the opening two stages, will both provide great vantage points.

But as far as the climbs go, few come as iconic as Holme Moss – a staple of many of the region’s famous races since the 1950s. The 4.7km, category two climb averages seven per cent and is the first of six ascents packed into the final 60km of a stage which, according to Marcel Kittel following his recon, will be “like a hilly Classic”.

Large crowds turned out just to watch Team Sky recce the ascent at the weekend, so just imagine what the atmosphere will be like come race day.

Hebden Bridge

The market town of Hebden Bridge welcomes the peloton shortly before it hits Cragg Vale and a huge party is expected in the town centre.

Actor Dean Andrews singled Hebden Bridge – and the ‘wall of noise’ he is expecting from fans – as his pick of the towns en-route.

And with a spectator hub setup at Calder Holmes Park, with stalls and entertainment planned throughout the day, Hebden Bridge should offer far more than just a quick glimpse of the peloton.

Jenkin Road, Sheffield

Plenty will be going on in Sheffield, where the second stage finishes, with a big spectator hub to be set up in the Don Valley Bowl.

However, just a few miles back down the route, the fearsome final climb of Jenkin Road – which reached a punishing 33 per cent at its steepest – is likely to be where the stage is won or lost.

The brutally steep climb is only 800m long but comes after a long day in the saddle, and while it lacks the aesthetics of an Alpine ascent, the brutal gradient will likely provide a jumping off point for a late attack.

The residential road’s pavements are likely to be packed with spectators, so space will be at a premium, but anybody who bags a good spot will be duly rewarded with some of the day’s best action.