Christian Prudhomme: En route to the grandest of Grands Départs ... in true Yorkshire style

Time marches on, and every day that goes by brings our trip to Yorkshire a little bit closer.
Director of the Tour de France, Christian Prudhomme.  (1301171AM28)Director of the Tour de France, Christian Prudhomme.  (1301171AM28)
Director of the Tour de France, Christian Prudhomme. (1301171AM28)

Every day, clear or subtle signs show why we are heading to Leeds in a few weeks’ time: a conversation with a British competitor who is both nervous and excited about riding stages in his own country; a photo of a restaurant in Harrogate completely decorated in the colours of the Tour; the variety of activities linked to the event within the framework of the Yorkshire Festival 2014… the atmosphere of a top sporting event is building with just over three months to go to the start.

That’s exactly what we want to feel as the adventure gets closer, with spontaneous and creative moments that are impossible to anticipate.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Naturally, the experience recalls our previous stay in England.

Amazed by the tremendous support of the Londoners that carried the riders along in 2007, and feeling at home in that atmosphere, we all wanted to return quickly.

Seven years later, the impact can be seen everywhere: a whole nation has woken up to cycling, and British riders have won titles and made new fans far and 
wide.

Mark Cavendish, Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome, the top exponents of cycling in Great Britain, have become ambassadors for the Tour in the process.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Their energy is clearly felt in the towns and countryside of Britain, where increasing enthusiasm for the Tour is patent.

I’m sure that the 100 days before the Grand Départ will be full of surprises and excitement, and I’m getting ready to enjoy them together with all the other lovers of the Tour de France.