Le Grand Départ: Rotterdam welcomes the cycling world

Le Grand Départ, the official start of the Tour de France, is said to bring Rotterdam more than $30 million. And although nobody exactly knows how and where that kind of money will benefit the city, Rotterdam celebrates the event in every possible way.

Official Tour de France merchandise, sold by official French salesmen. Will it benefit Rotterdam?

Today, the day of the prologue, and tomorrow, when the official first stage is on the programme, are of course the heart of the activities. Hundreds of thousands of spectators surround the streets where the cyclists pass by. The first of them were already there a day before the first rider would hit the streets – wanting to be certain of the best spots on the track.

Most of them will also visit one or two of the supporting activities. The choice is not easy, with an official programme containing tens of different events, from cycling theater to continuous concerts, and – obviously – cycling races for the fans that want to find out the “real pro experience”.

(It is, by the way, a small wonder that Rotterdam gets all this attention from the Dutch audience, as the whole country is still recovering from the sensation of yesterday’s victory of the national soccer team against the world’s number one Brazil. We all drank a glass or two…)

The city of Rotterdam is covered by gigantic quotes from famous cyclists. Like this one from Lance Armstrong.