Balloonists are now well on track, with two distinct groups developing. Slightly to the west and behind is what we’ll call the slower group. This group will be aiming to pass the Alps to the west...

Good morning from race control in Gladbeck. Balloonists are now well on track, with two distinct groups developing. Slightly to the west and behind is what we’ll call the slower group. This group will be aiming to pass the Alps to the west.

The leading pack is travelling faster, has already passed Luxembourg and is heading towards the Alps. The pilots will have to go very high to go over the mountains ahead of them.

Head of the fast group is ESP-1 and FRA-1. These guys mean business – Leys, in FRA-1, has won this race more times than any other pilot. So it seems fitting they are leading out.

However, don’t write-off the ‘slow’ pack. Tucked in here is GER-1, which is Wilhelm Eimers and co-pilot Zenge. This is home-turf for Eimers – it’s also his 26th Gordon Bennett race. So his position will be all about strategy.

Follow the live tracking to watch the different strategies develop.

Photo: Passing Dusseldorf at 500m in the early hours of this morning, from the basket of Team SUI-2, Tieche / Sciboz