BREST, France -- The Tour de France has started.

The first stage of cycling's most prestigious race takes the 180 riders 122.7 miles from the Atlantic port city of Brest to Plumelec on a flat course favoring sprinters.

Alberto Contador won the Tour last year. He can't race this time because his Astana team is banned by organizers after doping infractions by other riders.

Among the challengers this year are Australia's Cadel Evans and Spain's Alejandro Valverde.

Riders will cover more than 2,175 miles during the three-week race.

--Associated Press