Tour de France Presentation

Tour de France Comes to the People

July 6, 2007; London

Photos by Larry Hickmott and Belinda Sinclair

If there was one thing that stood out today in London it was that the Tour de France, the peoples race, came to the people as the riders for this years race were presented to the people of Britain and the World. Trafalgar Square was packed and so was the top of Whitehall as the riders were first presented on stage and then did a ride up and down Whitehall with lots of high fives between riders and the crowd.

The presentation started with the history of the bicycle, some presentation of local riders and machines, a speech by London Mayor Ken Livingston and then the Team Presentation. After that was all done and dusted by 8.30, a band took over to rock the city of London. It was a night though that can be best summed up in pictures and here are the first batch with many to come later.

T-Mobile and Mark Cavendish

Early on Friday morning, Belinda Sinclair went along to the T-Mobile presentation and came back with a report as follows: Today, finally, the day the whole of London has been waiting for – the start of the Tour De France. And with Mark Cavendish having launched his senior career in such spectacular style this year, it was no surprise that there was so much interest in him this morning at the T Mobile’s press conference at Jamie Oliver’s Restaurant 15 just off City Road.

Introduced by T-Mobile boss Bob Stapleton as ‘Cannon ball Cavendish’, there is no doubt that he made his mark. But how does he feel about the increased media attention and public expectation?

“Well, of course I’m delighted to be riding in my first Tour – and especially with it starting in London – but it’s a huge race, and it’s the biggest event that I’ve ever ridden. I hope to do well, but there are a whole team of us, and we ride as a team. I’ll give it my all, and hope to do Ok and give back something to the people who’ve shown put faith and belief in me, and given me a ride. But I am conscious that I’m on show.”

He has perhaps started to get used to some of the attention, and seems determined to view it very positively. "The pressure is definitely there, probably as much because it’s not only my first tour and I’ve had a few good results already this year, but also because it’s starting here and there’s a lot of excitement over it. It’s the whole thing for me in one go. But the pressure is part of it. It’s part of being a pro cyclist, and part of the job. Its not just about riding bikes – you have to be able to talk about riding and that, People want to know and that’s fine, because by asking me about things, they’re supporting me as a cyclist.”

However, despite his own success and the attention foisted on him as a result, Cavendish was keen to give credit to his teammates. “They are superb, excellent to ride with, and it’s great to be part of something that works so well. I get a lot of help and advice and I feel very comfortable in the team. I think that shows in my riding. I’m in good shape and I’ve been riding well. I couldn’t have done that without the team and I respect them – all of them.”

Photos

Dancers and trick cyclists warmed the crowd up before the team presentation with some great action on stage.

As soon as local boy Bradley Wiggins came out of his team car, the crowd were after a piece of him, handshakes, well wishers and autographs from the crowd favourite -- he didn't dissapoint them!

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