Le Tour est arrivé: London welcomes the cycling heroes
Saturday, 7 July 2007
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Up to a million people are expected to descend on London this weekend to witness the first time the Tour de France has set off from Britain. Riders in the world's most gruelling cycling race were promised a carnival atmosphere as Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, promised the most spectacular Grand Départ the tour had seen in its 104-year history. It would be an "unforgettable weekend," he said.
With Britain on high alert after the failed London car bombs and Glasgow attack last weekend, the event is likely to provide a headache for police. But Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, of Scotland Yard's central control, said officers would try to police the event "with a French flavour and a lighter touch".
The 189 riders will set off on their three-week 2,200-mile race from London, heading into Kent and to Belgium before finishing in Paris on 29 July. Britain's hopes rest with David Millar, 30; Bradley Wiggins, 27; Mark Cavendish, 22; Geraint Thomas, 21, and Charlie Wegelius, 29.
Millar, who is riding in his second tour since a two-year doping ban, is one of only four Britons - along with Tom Simpson, Chris Boardman and Sean Yates - to have worn the yellow jersey after his win in the 2000 prologue, the speed trial which determines who wears the coveted jersey.
Now an ardent anti-drugs campaigner, the Scot is one of the favourites for today's prologue, along with Wiggins, a Londoner, the world and Olympic pursuit champion. "All of sudden, I can see that the tour prologue is going to go round the streets I rode as a kid - it's going to be quite something," said Wiggins.
Following an opening ceremony in Trafalgar Square last night, more than a half a million people are expected to watch the prologue today before the first of the "stages" starts tomorrow. It is hoped the predicted break in the weather will materialise for the 7.9km prologue lap of central London, which starts on Whitehall, passing landmarks including the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park before finishing on The Mall.
Even more are expected to watch tomorrow's start of the race, which will head into Kent, passing through Dartford, Medway, Tunbridge Wells and Ashford, finishing in Canterbury.
The European habit of getting close up to riders and shouting support will provide a particular problem for British police, though Mr Ghaffur said he hoped the event would provide a "good test" for the 2012 Olympics.
Up 4,500 Metropolitan police will be on duty alongside 1,800 from Kent as well as 45 French officers and the City of London and British Transport Police.
This year marks the third time the race has passed through Britain. About three millionpacked the roadsides in 1994 when the race last visited to mark the opening of the Channel tunnel.
The race, featuring 20 stages with six days in the mountains, is expected to attract 15 million people to the roadside with two billion watching on television.
Kent town celebrates sprint section with carnival
The picturesque town of Tenterden is usually quiet at the weekend, a tranquil spot in the heart of Kent described in tour guides as "the Jewel of the Weald".
But tomorrow, things will be just that little bit different. For one thing, Darth Vader will be coming to town. For another, so will a swarm of world-class cyclists and thousands of banner-waving, lycra-wearing sports fans.
Among the many attractions that have been organised to celebrate the fact that Tenterden is playing host to the Tour de France is a meeting of Star Wars devotees.
Street performers, food stalls, dancers, comedians and local bands will also line the High Street on the day, accompanied by professional stunt riders and a bicycle action display team. "The locals have pulled out all the stops. There are a huge range of events," said a borough spokeswoman.
Tenterden is one stop along a 40-mile section of the race hosted by Ashford borough the longest stretch in Kent. It is also the location of one of the sought-after sprint sections, a race within the main race in which riders can gain additional points for the green jersey, the second-most coveted prize of the tour.
"The locals seem quite excited about it. For the last two or three months they have been talking about the big build up," said Jean-Pierre Deghaye, the assistant manager at The White Lion pub, past which the race will run. "Apart from Thomas the Tank Engine weekends, it is fairly quiet around here. We are hoping for large crowds, but it will really depend on the weather."
