THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN!

There are only a few hours left to the greatest sporting event in world cycling; Le Tour de France.
We will congregate on mountain, hill, valley, flatlands, over radio, on television, and on world wide web where-ever it is possible to get a glimpse of this unequivocal event, we will shed tears, cheer and debate but most importantly we will get great satisfaction from this marvelous sport.

They say World Cup Soccer brings the World together for 31 days, well, we will not boast for fear of hypocrisy or pride, we will simply say; go to the Tour de France 'yourself' and you will discover that your life has been changed for-ever...Vive le France!

So as this countdown begins it is only fitting to quote the great Henry des Grange at the presentation of the 1906 Tour.

"Through torrid afternooons, entire populations will present themselves before you, their hands raised in applause, their eyes wide open to catch a lasting memory of the battle.
In the evening, as nature slumbers peacefully, tired after the long day, the peasant, burnt by the sun, will falll silent to celebrate your passing.  Then, after the pain, honour will follow. alive again, you will enter Paris in sporting glory.  And later, you will remember your exploits at the Tour de France, and you will be able to say with pride; I was there".