UK Capital Gears-up to Host Tour De France Race 
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

LONDON (UK): Billed as the biggest sport event hosted by the British capital ahead of the 2012 Olympics, the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone on Tuesday officially launched planned activities to herald Tour De France cycle race being staged next month.

The two-day start, known as the Grand Depart, begins on July 7 with a time trial, giving the public the chance to see the world’s best cyclists set off one by one throughout the afternoon.

The actual race will commence on July 8 from the Mall, opposite Buckingham Palace in Central London. An expected 2 million spectators will see off the riders at the start of the gruelling 2200 mile race to be completed in three weeks in Paris.

To celebrate the event that began in 1903, the London City Government has arranged a package of activities to accompany Tour De France.

This includes the People’s Village-an event to celebrate and promote cycling in Hyde Park, erection of 18 giant screens in the capital to enable everyone watches the race and as well as new TY advert to promote the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Livingstone said, “The Tour De France is a superb opportunity to promote London as a cycling city.

The number of people taking to two wheels has soared by 83 per cent over the last seven years, more than any other city in Europe. We want the excitement of the Tour De France to encourage even more people to take up cycling.”

Director of Tour De France Christian Prudhomme, speaking in French, said “The British capital’s power and prestige will make the 2007 Tour stand out from all those that have preceded it. This event will bring London and Paris together while the race will be broadcast live to 184 countries.”

Britain’s most successful cyclist with three world hour records, Olympic gold medallist and the holder of the prestigious yellow jersey in Tour De France Chris Boardman, spoke of his experience about the event and said ‘it is an spectacle seen to be believed’.●