Casey B. Gibson gallery: The prologue to the 2012 Tour de France

Team mechanics roll the TT bikes over for inspection and weighing before the start. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Cancellara is happy to be back, and on the top step. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Cancellara tries on his first yellow jersey of the Tour. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Evans gives it his all at the line. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Followed by a TV camera and the team car, Evans heads out on the course. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Four hours before his start, Evans is working up a sweat on the trainer. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Thousands of fans lined the prologue course in downtown Liege. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Fans at the finish line strain for a photo of Evans finishing. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Fresh off his Giro win, Ryder Hesjedal put in a good prologue ride. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Horner is back in the Tour, but struggled to finish 34 seconds down. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

World champion Tony Martin was rockin' until he had to change bikes. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

After missing the team presentation with illness, David MIllar was back and looking healthy. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Peter Sagan was flying early in the TT, but almost missed a turn and had to unclip. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

The starting ramp of the 2012 Tour de France. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

A very happy Tejay Van Garderen shows off his best young rider jersey. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Van Garderen rode to a strong fourth, and into the white jersey. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Jonathan Vaughters discusses the state of cycling at the start of the Tour with Andy Hood. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Jens Voigt put in his usual full effort ride. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Wiggins had a great ride, and was fastest until Cancellara took the course. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

Captain America, David Zabriskie, in his new kit for Garmin. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com