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Tour de France
Le Tour de France is the most famous and prestigious road bicycle race in the world. It has been held every year since 1903, except during the world wars. The race runs over three weeks each July for professional cycling teams, travelling through France and its nearby countries. The overall yellow shirt wearing winner is the individual rider who finishes the course of the race in the least accumulated time. The itinerary of the race changes each year and alternates between going in a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction around France. Some of the visited places, especially mountains and passes, recur annually. Since 1975, the final stage always finishes on the Champs-Élysées in Paris with large spectator crowds lining the cobblestone avenue which makes it a little difficult for the riders. The Tour is important in France and attracts many visitors from around the world. Millions of spectators line the route to see the Tour first-hand, some of them having encamped a week in advance to get the best views. The hours before the riders pass, a carnival atmosphere prevails. Any amateur cyclist is free to attempt the course on his bicycle in the morning and after which begins a garish cavalcade of advertising vehicles blaring music and tossing hats, souvenirs, sweets and free samples of all sorts. For more information visit the official site at www.letour.fr. In Australia, SBS has coverage at www.tdf.sbs.com.au For a French Desire article about the 2008 tour, click here |
