posted on Jan, 24 2006 @ 01:17 PM
It will mark the first time the Tour has started in England, and the third time it has passed through the country. The Tour had a stage in Plymouth in
1974, and, in 1994, the race had stages between Dover and Brighton and to and from Portsmouth.
"Hosting the first stage of the legendary French cycle race will raise the profile of cycling in the capital, attract visitors and promote the capital
as a venue for international sporting events," Mayor Ken Livingstone said in a statement Tuesday.
The Tour's opening ceremony in London will take place on July 6, 2007.
SI.com