Tour de France Cycle Race

The Tour de France is the largest bicycle race in the world.  Rotterdam is set to host the Grand Start for the 2010 race on 1 July, and the Dutch people have planned a terrific sendoff.   The Tour runs from 3-25 July.

Excitement about the upcoming race is tinged with sadness at the news that this will be Lance Armstrong’s last Tour.  At 38, he has battled cancer and returned to win the race seven times - an amazing achievement.

If you plan to be in Europe and anywhere near the course, check to see if the race will pass near you and go out and give the riders a big cheer of encouragement. 

After leaving Rotterdam on 4 July the Tour heads for Brussels and then takes in several towns and locations along the way, including Cambrai, Reims, Morzine-Avoriaz, Chambery, Pau and Bordeaux – ending in Paris at the Champs-Élysées on Sunday 25 July.

This is just a snippet of all the info about the race.  Full details of the course, time schedule, and details of the start and finish can be found on the official website.

Visit our Travel Guide to Europe and follow the links for the Foreign Office (FCO) for updated and important travel advice. 

Those within the EU planning a trip to Europe should remember to apply for the free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), but remember that this is not a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance! 

For UK and European car and motorcycle breakdown cover click here.  For motorcycle travel insurance click here.

Flickr cc Image:  brooxy25