I realize the Tour wants to be as big as it can, but why is the Tour de FRANCE always spending time in other countries?
I can understand crossing into an adjacent country if the roads connect with France, but spending DAYS in the other country kind of defeats the whole FRANCE part of the race name, no?
The Giro d'Italia is doing a few days in Belgium in 2006. Huh?? There is probably a good reason for it, but doesn't Belgium have enough races throughout the season?
There is probably $$$ behind these decisions (most definitely for taking the Tour to London), but come on now.
What's next? The Prologue of the Tour de Georgia will be in Cincinnati? The Tour of California to spend two stages in Hawai'i?