Eddy Merckx
I am not at all interested in bicycle races not even in the famous "Tour de France", but this time I couldn't ignore it because the tour crossed Waterloo and the little towns around. It was as if Trump would visit the Lion of Waterloo and Napoleons battle field, the streets were closed, police cars everywhere and helicopters stood on large enough places. Of course it is very difficult to watch the participants, because they bike soo fast that you only see a colored line and turning wheels and then it's gone. But there were a lot of animations around and a festive ambiance was in the whole city.
On this occasion the King and Queen had received Eddy Merckx and his family who had been the best in the 70th.
I was lucky I have a friend who lives in an apartment on the 4th floor and I could overlook a part of the race. I did my best to get some pictures they are not of the best quality but still gives an idea how it was.
The first Tour de France was staged in 1903. The plan was a five-stage race from 31 May to 5 July, starting in Paris and stopping in Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, and Nantes before returning to Paris.
During the World Wars the tours were cancelled.
In the early 1970s the race was dominated by Eddy Merckx a Belgian, who won the General Classification five times, the Mountains Classification twice, the Points Classification three times and a record 34 stages
The first tours were in France, although since the mid-1950s it has become common to do it in other countries, Andorra, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom have all hosted stages or part of a stage. Since 1975 the finish has been in Paris. You can read about the whole tour history here
The road to the Lion
and once they had past !
more participants here
A lot of preparation and then it is all over so quickly.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun event!
ReplyDeleteHours of set up, and they're through in thirty seconds.
ReplyDeleteHow cool they crossed Waterloo! I don't watch bicycle race, either, but it must be fun to see them in person instead of on screen!
ReplyDeleteThis being in Europe, we don't notice. Here, we are deep into our Baseball Season. And of course, you don't notice this. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a popular global event.
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
Your photos captured the color and hubbub of the race. It must have been a delight to see.
ReplyDeleteMy post features a hike at Mount Rainier Natl Park.
Oops, I guess I never realised that the Tour de France is also held in other countries. But I don't follow the races. Or anything that is sports-related.
ReplyDeleteWhilst I am not a fan either, I am betting the atmosphere was amazing and so exciting to be part of a major event.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of the Tour de France and don't watch it. But it must be exciting to have it pass through your city.
ReplyDeletedropping by from the OurWorldTuesday linkup