Until a short article on the Today programe this morning, about the Tour de France cycle race taking place in London later this year, I always thought it was a cycle race in France, who else did?
2007-05-18 00:13:28 · 13 answers · asked by FairyBlessed 4 in Sports ➔ Cycling
Here's BBC article about the London bit.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/4643032.stm
2007-05-18 00:28:56 · update #1
The Tour de France, for many years, has taken place with legs in different countries, for example, Belgium, Spain and Luxembourg. This allows for some variation of courses year after year and for the world's greatest cycling event to be shared with other countries.
I'm looking forward to the Tour coming to London!
2007-05-18 00:17:40 · answer #1 · answered by Cookie_Monster_UK 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It IS a ride around France, but every year the route changes. Sometimes it starts in Germany, this year it will start in London and the majority of the race will still be around France. It also crosses into Spain while in the Pyrenees mountain range.
I think it's odd that they will all have to fly across the channel after the first stage, but after more than 100 years of the Tour they have to do something to keep it interesting, right?
2007-05-18 02:59:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Tour de France is a French race. Check out the extensive article regarding it on Wikipedia.
2007-05-18 00:17:14 · answer #3 · answered by Chris B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Tour de France often passes through other countries. In recent memory, it has gone through Britain, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg...
The thing to keep in mind is that the Tour is all about money. If you are a French town, it costs money to have the tour pass through your town. It costs even more to host a stage start or finish. I'd love to hear how much Britain pays to host for a day.
2007-05-18 02:25:11 · answer #4 · answered by Jay P 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Tour has a history of taking detours into neighbouring countries, and the race did come to Britain (Sussex), for one day, a few years ago.
2007-05-18 00:33:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Let's not forget that New York City made a bid for the start of the Tour. They just might get it one year.
2007-05-18 02:03:56 · answer #6 · answered by Madrider 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's all a con. They film the race in a large film studio in West London. They same one that they staged the Apollo Moon Landings
2007-05-18 00:18:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
me, well if the prime minister can change without us being consulted i am sure a bike race is not even on the list
2007-05-18 00:25:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
but surely now we have the tunnel england is a french "cul de sac"!!!!
2007-05-18 00:25:50 · answer #9 · answered by darryl h 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So your saying its not??
2007-05-18 00:19:40 · answer #10 · answered by danieltiger23 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋