I thought the Tour de France was a tour of France. I noticed they're riding in England. Is that normal? Is this something new?

I believe it's the first time, but including Belgum or Germany has also happened.

Joe

I thought the Tour de France was a tour of France. I noticed they're riding in England. Is that normal? Is this something new?

It's rare, but Le Tour sometimes starts in a country other than France. You'll notice that in this year's tour, they also swing over to Belgium for a stage. It's not uncommon for le Tour to bounce over to Germany, Spain, Italy, etc while in route.

... Brad

Thanks guys.

3rd.

First time for London though.

It's rare, but Le Tour sometimes starts in a country other than France.
Hardly rare for it to start in another country. Didn't it start in Ireland once? It seems like they are always in another country in the first week.

They should have made the '07 Tour riders suffer through the Chunnel. The helicopter shots would have been boring, but you know they'd show that angle anyway. Hey, look, it's Sealand!

Although there was an historical reason last year, I was a bit perplexed that the Giro d'Italia started in Belgium.

It started in Ireland in 1998. Jan Ullrich was in yellow as last years winner. The tour goes out of france all the time.

Hardly rare for it to start in another country. Didn't it start in Ireland once? It seems like they are always in another country in the first week.

Actually, it's only started in a country other than France 7 times since it's inception in 1903. It does seem like more (it's the 3rd time since 2002), but I just looked it up here:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/303508/london_makes_its_tour_de_france_grand.html

... Brad

1998 - the year of the Festina Scandal.

The year of the pirate. The Year of Jan's crack.

The year of the Pantani double.

Brain.

I call it Knowledge.

Hey hey guys. Come on now. I was asking a serious question. No need to get upset.

Can't we all just get along? :D

nobody is upset, at least nobody of relevance.

Ouch! That's gonna leave a mark.

I'm not upset.

Actually, it's only started in a country other than France 7 times since it's inception in 1903. It does seem like more (it's the 3rd time since 2002), but I just looked it up here:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/303508/london_makes_its_tour_de_france_grand.html

... Brad

Time to find a better source. It has started outside of France far more than 7 times. 1954, 1958,1965, 1973, 1975, 1980, 1982, 1987, 1989, 1992, 1996, 1998, 2004, 2004 and 2007.

It started in Ireland in 1998. Jan Ullrich was in yellow as last years winner. The tour goes out of france all the time.

Going way back. As best I can tell the first stage to start or end out of France was in 1913, ending in Geneva. There could be an even earlier stage that entered foreign territory but started and ended in France.

Wow. I wish they could somehow find a way down to Miami Florida so I can catch a stage. I mean if they're going on Tour they may as well head down here. :D

Funnily enough, both times I've seen the Tour in person it's been outside France. Luxembourg in 1992 and Ireland in 1998.

I think every other year it starts in a country other than France. This year was the first time in London since (I think) 1974.

you forgot 1994 - the last time it was is England, as well as 2002 when it departed from Luxembourg.

Don't know how I left out 1994. 2002 was a type, note I had 2004 twice.

Although there was an historical reason last year, I was a bit perplexed that the Giro d'Italia started in Belgium.

Something to do with large numbers of Italians emigrating to Belgium after some war or another (I want to say WWI, but that's a guess).

Edit: I was close. From cyclingnews:

This year's Giro start, with four stages in the "black" coal mining country of Wallonia has a special connection with Italy. After WW2, many Italians emigrated north to eastern Belgium to find work in the coal mines and this year's Giro will commemorate the 136 Italian miners killed in a tragic fire fifty years ago at the Bois du Cazier mine on August 8, 1956. Today, almost 300 thousand Belgians of Italian origin live in the region and thus, the organization of the Giro d'Italia decided to reach out to their people. Mr. Gerard Gaston who represented the Region Wallonne at the Giro d'Italia presentation explained, "We're delighted to host the start of the Giro d'Italia in 2006; it's a major international event. We have many major cycling events in Wallonia like Liege-Bastogne-Liege and many Italians have perfectly integrated in our region, including our Prime Minister Elio DiRupo."

So Ryanf, I'm curious: do you have a picture of Jan's crack?

Is that the powder kind or the kind you keep in the back of your shorts?

In 2011, the TdF will start in NYC. A short central park TT, in April. Then there will be a VERY long second stage (about two months) where the organisers will introduce swimming for the first time. The third stage will start in Calais, with a swim-bike transition at the ferry port.

Don't you guys know anything?

No.

Damn. If you had, I'd have entered you in the 2011 race, just on your reported progress so far. I mean, the start is pretty local for you, so it'd be a cinch. Local knowledge and all.

I heard the director of the Tour say that 2 out of 5 times they'll make sure the Tour starts in another country.