Two of the nine cobbled sections due to have been used on Stage 5 of the Tour de France are reportedly being skipped today on safety grounds, with heavy rain expected to continue throughout the day in northern France.

The sections in question are number 7 at Mons-en-Pévèle (1 kilometre in length), and number 5 (1.4km), from Orchies to Beuvry-la-Forêt, according to a tweet from Laurent Bruwier of Belgian broadcaster RTBF. They’re not the most difficult on today’s route.

Today’s stage, which incorporates some of the cobbled sections used in Paris-Roubaix – there will now be seven sections totalling 13km – is one of the most eagerly anticipated of this year’s race by fans.

However it is also perhaps the most feared by many riders including the overall contenders due to the unpredictability of riding on the pavé and the threat of losing significant time due to punctures, crashes or mechanical issues.

In the case of defending champion Chris Froome of Team Sky, there is an added concern – he is carrying injuries including one to his wrist, which may have a fracture, after crashing early on yesterday’s Stage 4.

This picture, tweeted this morning by Alberto Contador, shows the type of conditions lying in wait for the peloton today.