UK: Cycling mania hits London with the prologue to the Tour de France cycle race

Up to one million people were treated to a dream first start of the Tour de France from London on a glorious summer's day. London residents and tourists had a day to remember on Saturday (July 7) when an estimated crowd of up one million people converged on Buckingham palace to cheer the 189 cyclists competing in the Tour de France prologue. The centre of the capital was turned into a traffic free zone as people lined the 7.9 kilometre route, bringing a colourful carnival atmosphere to the race. England was having a terrible summer with record rainfall and floods and the country was also on security alert following recent failed bomb attempts. A massive security operation swung into action as the arrival of the world's greatest cycle race also coincided with the second anniversary of the July 7 suicide bombings in which 52 people were killed. A total of 5,000 police officers were deployed along the course but there was no report of any major trouble. To the joy of organizers and fans, the sun came out and the temperature rose to more than 20 degrees celsius. Nicolas was one of many people who took refuge in the fountain at Trafalgar Square near the area where the race started. "It has been a fantastic day, great crowd of people and we wandered about, seen some of the racing. It has been great," he said. For Robert, it was another special day: "A bit too hot but it has been really good. The atmosphere is superb and it was well worth waiting for," he said. While the new Wembley stadium was staging the Live Earth concert, the green areas of central London were occupied by amateur cyclists and families having picnics. Thousands gathered in front of the 18 giant TV screens scattered in parks to watch the riders passing the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and going through Hyde Park before finishing on The Mall. The prologue was won by Swiss Fabian Cancellara of the CSC team, who will now be wearing the yellow jersey for the first stage from London to Canterbury, on Sunday (July 8).

ITN Source | July 7, 2007

Tags:. .attempts. .arrival. .trouble. .screens. .finishing