The legendary bike race, now in its 102nd edition, kicked off in Utrecht over the weekend. Despite scorching temperatures, thousands lined up along the route to catch all of the action. Here’s a report from the sidelines.
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It was an event over a decade in the making. Local officials began efforts to bring the Tour de France to Utrecht in the early ’00s. Their dreams finally became a reality on Saturday. While record breaking temperatures, water supply concerns, an ongoing labour dispute among law enforcement agencies and a few naysayers all threatened to take the shine off the weekend’s Grand Depart, by all accounts it was a huge success.
By noon on Saturday, temperatures outside of Utrecht Centraal were approaching toasty and the Croeselaan was awash in a sea of spectators decked out in polka dotted jerseys and highlighter yellow Tour hats. A few diehards were having their photos taken on the podium near the Jaarbeursplein with trophies and fluffy toy lions. Merchandise stands and vendors alike were doing brisk business. In case you’re wondering, an official Tour de France kitchen apron would have set you back €15.
The event was truly a big deal for Utrecht and numerous apartments and homes along the route were adorned with special Tour flags and other racing decorations. Officials were predicting anywhere from 500,000 to a million visitors during Saturday’s 13.8 KM time trial. Many fans grabbed spots along the route hours prior to the first cyclist setting out from the starting line.
The celebratory mood was only further enhanced by a pre-trial cavalcade of crazy vehicles designed by various Tour sponsors. At least one was decorated with a gigantic bag of McCain brand French Fries but Carrefour’s epic alpine-themed mobile was among the crowd’s favourites.
Once the trial began, fans along the route hooted and hollered for their favourite cyclists as they passed. Others preferred to blow whistles, pound on barriers, or wave flags. Of course, the Dutch participants received the loudest cheers, but top contenders including Vincenzo Nibali and Alberto Contador also received some boisterous applause.
But it was Rohan Dennis who managed to earn the 2015 Tour’s first yellow jersey. The bold Australian cyclist surprised many with his blazing fast run. With an average speed of 55.45kph, the fastest pace in the Tour’s history for this type of stage, Dennis clocked 14 minutes, 56 seconds.
Once the trial was over, many spectators flooded into Utrecht’s centre to cool off with a drink in the city’s various cafes. It was tough to find a free spot on any of the terraces near Dom Tower.
On Sunday, the Tour sent cyclists racing from Utrecht to Neeltje Jans, an island in Zeeland, amidst some pretty wild summer storms. Who will win the 2015 Tour? We’ll all find out when it concludes in Paris on 26 July.
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