The Channel and the Tour de France: a long history

The Tour de France in the Channel from 1911 to 2016.

The Tour de France is the 3rd largest media sports event in the world after the Summer Olympics and the Football World Cup. This year, our region will receive a great promotion by organizing the Grand Départ for the first time in its history. The Manchois are therefore rewarded after a long team effort to promote the success of the Channel's candidacy. We wish ardently that the 2^nd July is a very beautiful and popular spectacle as sunny as July 10, 2013, date of the last visit of the tour in our region (time trial Avranches - Mont St Michel). The Manche department, land of cycling, has hosted the "Grand loop 45 times between 1911 and 2013: 23 departures and 22 arrivals. Cherbourg Octeville: 23 departures and 22 arrivals; Avranches: 3 departures and 2 arrivals; St Hilaire du Harcoüet: 2 departures, one arrival; Granville: a start and an arrival. Cycling is represented very well in our department with 38 clubs and nearly 2000 licensees. The Manche counted for last season 9 elite licensees including 3 from the department who participated in the 2014 Tour de France.

On 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th July, nearly 400 km will be covered by cyclists. The  2^nd July will see the departure at the foot of Mont St Michel towards Utah-Beach, which are the 2 most famous sites of the Channel for a stage of 188 kms. On the 3^rd July, the participants will start from Saint-Lô to Cherbourg (182 km stage) and 4^th July: departure from Granville to Angers. Remember also for bike lovers the date of 30^th June at Sainte-Mere-Eglise where will be held the presentation of the teams.

From 2^nd-4^th July, La Manche welcomes you to live memorable moments around the great Bike Festival.

Illustration West-France