Four million people line the streets to watch UK leg of Tour de France

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England's first time hosting the first stage of the elite race has been declared a "phenomenal success" by those involved.

The 203km ride saw the 189 cyclists leave London before blazing into Canterbury in under five hours led by the Australian winner Robbie McEwen.

Organisers said a total of two million people were on the streets of the capital watching yesterday's Prologue and today's departure from Greenwich.

Two ladies cheer on the riders as they cycle to Canterbury

The main pack negotiates the crowds

The riders speed past Big Ben as the first stage of the Tour gets underway

To the winner the spoils: Robbie McEwen celebrates winning the stage

A further two million were estimated to have lined the streets of towns and villages of Kent.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone said: "The eyes of the world have been on London this weekend, and the first Grand Depart in the UK has been a phenomenal success.

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Crowds pack the streets as the riders pass through the town of Goudhurst

"This demonstrates London's ability to host top-class sporting fixtures and promote them to a world-wide audience."

The capital expects to make more than £115 million from the race, which cost around £5 million to stage. Planning for the event began two years ago.

The event was policed by around 5,000 officers from the Metropolitan Police, Kent Police, the City Of London Police, the British Transport Police, and French officers.

McEwen produced a stunning finish to win the stage.

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Spectators enjoying the day wave at the camera as glorious sunshine beats down

McEwen, 35, looked to be out of contention when he had to stop for repairs after a crash as the race approached Canterbury towards the end of the 203km stage from London.

But the Predictor-Lotto team rider produced a blistering sprint to take the spoils from Norway's Thor Hushovd and Tom Boonen of Belgium.

Australian Robbie McEwen celebrates crosses the finish line the first stage of the 2007 Tour de France

View from above as le Tour's riders make their way through London