You will all have noted that the route of the 100th edition of the Tour de France runs entirely through French territory. Nevertheless, since Monday 15th July the race has set up a base on the banks of the Thames, in a village exclusively dedicated to the event where Londoners can experience the atmosphere of the Tour to the full. Located in the Canary Wharf business district, the Tour de France Fan Park is a leisure, exhibition and bar/restaurant area that immediately became the place to be for employees in the district. More than 2,000 people came in at lunchtime to see the images of Chris Froome's victory on Mont-Ventoux. Michael, a 26-year-old trader and a supporter of the Sky team, was enthralled: “I saw that moment on my TV at home yesterday, but I never get tired of seeing his great exploit repeated on this giant screen. This time, I have been able to enjoy an authentic tartiflette as well! I almost feel that I am in the Alps … anyway, I know where I will be taking my breaks this week!”
During the live broadcast of the race, the pros of the financial world have abandoned their computers en masse and shortened their working day to follow the progress of their champion. Already sitting on the edge of their seats, their nerves exploded at the moment Chris Froome ended up off the road after a corner just a few miles from the Finish. Stunned by the incident, Juliet and Kate's spirits only started to recover after he crossed the finish line in Gap: “We were really frightened! We know he has a lead, but you can also see that Chris hasn't won the Tour yet, he could lose his advantage at any moment with a fall. I'm confident, though, and I hope to be able to celebrate his final win here on Sunday evening”. Until then, Chris Froome must fight hard on the slopes of the Alps, supported at a distance by his fans in London, some of whom have already got together today for the time trial between Embrun and Chorges. Among his admirers is the adventure cyclist Liz Dimmock, who plans to come by in the afternoon and get some inspiration from the Froome method. Her next challenge: the women's record for cycling around the world, covering 30,000 kilometres in 150 days with the aim of raising funds for an NGO.
Practical info:
- Dates : from Monday 15th to Sunday 21st July
- Opening hours: 11:00–22:00 every day (open till 23:00 on Sunday 21st)
- Place: Wood Wharf Park, Canary Whar
All informations about the Tour de France Fan Park at Canary Wharf on
www.tourdefrancefanpark.co.uk
