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The biggest annual sporting event in the world, the Tour de France, will start in London in 2007, coming to the UK capital for the first time in its 100 year history. The Grand Départ, the start of the Tour, will take place in London and Kent over three days during the weekend of 6-8 July 2007. It is expected to attract more than a million visitors to the capital, providing a significant economic benefit for London.

The Tour de France creates a carnival atmosphere wherever it visits, with more than 10 million spectators lining the route each year over the three weeks of the event. The peleton racing through the UK capital’s historic streets promises to provide a compelling spectacle for families, cyclists, and sports fans.

The three days of the Grand Départ include
the Tour de France opening ceremony, on Friday 6 July 2007 in Trafalgar Square
the Prologue, on Saturday 7 July - an eight kilometre (5 mile) lap of central London, starting on Whitehall, taking in some of London’s most famous landmarks including the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park, and finishing on the Mall
Stage One, on Sunday 8 July, which will start in central London, passing close to a variety of historic and contemporary sites including Big Ben, the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Gherkin and crossing Tower Bridge close to City Hall. The race will then travel through Bermondsey, Deptford, Greenwich and Erith before travelling into Kent. In Kent the Tour will pass through Dartford, Medway, Tunbridge Wells and Ashford before the stage finish in Canterbury.

Around 200 of the world’s best cyclists will battle it out for the legendary yellow jersey on the streets of London. They will then go on to cover around 3,500 kilometres over the course of three weeks.

It was announced from the office of the Mayor of London that Tour de France, which is the biggest annual sporting event in the world, will start from London in 2007. This event will help the promotion of this alternative means of transport, which is both healthy and environmentally friendly. The streets of London is an ideal setting for the enormous and prestigious race. London is one of the fastest growing cycling city in Europe and it will give a big welcome to the Grand Depart.

In only 5 years cycling in London has developed a 100% rise, making it one of the faster growing cycling cities in the world.

The three official days of the Grand Départ include the Tour de France opening ceremony (which is always spectacular, and the fans are looking forward to see how London one will surprise them). The date is 6 July 2007, Friday, at Trafalgar Square. The Prologue, on Saturday 7 July includes also an eight kilometre (5 mile) lap of central London, beginning from Whitehall, taking in some of London’s most famous sights like the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park, and finishing on the Mall
Stage One, on Sunday 8 July, which will begin in central London, crosses a variety of historic and contemporary landmarks including Big Ben, the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Gherkin and crossing Tower Bridge close to City Hall. The race will then continue through Bermondsey, Deptford, Greenwich and Erith. Next stop: Kent. In Kent the Tour will pass through Dartford, Medway, Tunbridge Wells and Ashford before the stage finish in Canterbury.

About 200 of the world’s best cyclists will compete for the legendary yellow jersey starting from the streets of London. They will then go on to conquer around 3,500 kilometres over three weeks.