Why such a big crowd for the Tour de France?

Question

Apparently 500,000 lined the route for the start in London. I can't believe there would be 5,000 people in England who even care about cycle racing let alone half a million. Not knocking it but cycling isn't really our thing is it? I would expect a bigger crowd at the World Conkers Championships to be honest.

Answer 1

Probably the only time it will be run in England. Plus you get to see the racers without having to visit France :).

Answer 2

Why should this be a surprise.

The English are world renown for spectating.

It doesn't even matter if your team is copping a hiding, There is still a faithful band of supporters that turn up. (Any sport)

If if I were organising the World Conkers Championships I would want it hosted in England. Almost guaranteed crowds.

P.S.
England has a long history with the bicycle. It can boast the first successfully producted modern bicycle. (rover, 1885)

Those U.K. riders in the T.D.F. are good quality.

I suggest that maybe cycling could well be "Your Thing"

Answer 3

the Tour de France is the 2nd largest watch sport.

I have just come back from Greenwich, and YES there were a few people there (too many for me to count).

The thing with something like the Tour is that you don't have to be into cycling to want to watch. I have followed the Tour for a number of years, I don't cycle and have thoroughly enjoyed my day out, you have to think also that when events like this happen, there is a lot more going on around, freebies, stalls with crafts, entertainers etc.

As well as Greenwich hosting the Tour don't forget it is a tourist destination in itself (cutty Sark, Royal Observatory, Greenwich Mean Time starts here).

Yes there was several thousand just at Greenwich

Answer 4

Well, I really like cycling- even used to race a bit in my teens,before I discovered cigarettes,booze and women, so I can tell you that cycling is a very popular sport- about on a par with Formula one . Unfortunately, it doesn't have quite the same level of sponsorship,glamour etc, so we don't get to see much of it. So when an event as big as the Tour comes to England, people are going to turn out for it. Also, the English really love their sports in general, so why not this one?
Having said all this,I would have to say that the Tour is now a corrupt, drug-ridden load of tosh and the worst possible advert for the sport.

Answer 5

Drugs is a big problem in the UK, but most of the players are amateurs.

The Tour de France gives the public the opportunity to see true professionals at work, hence the interest.

Answer 6

It's because the Tour only comes to Britain once in a blue moon. It's a chance for people to witness at first hand one of the world's most famous sporting events. I would have thought that was pretty darn obvious.

Answer 7

I heard 1 mil today! Nevertheless, the biggest, hadest event - you know these professionals are stretching themselves. 120 Miles - I could probably finish with a lot of pain, but there's no way I could race that far. Grueling event!

Answer 8

I wondered that myself yesterday when I saw the number of people desperately trying to get to London from Amersham (there were no trains tee hee) and I was out on my bike thinking "surely on the first lovely day in weeks it'd be nice to be out on your own bike, not watching skinny people ride past you for 10 seconds before they're gone".

Answer 9

Cycling is very popular in other countries which is why they are so much fitter than us.
The tourist that came from abroad are a very welcome boast for the London and Kent coffers.

Answer 10

Any free event will draw curiosity seekers.