Lille is preparing for the big departure of the 112nd edition of the Tour de France. On the eve of the first laps, the city is already in full swing. Since Wednesday, July 2, the teams have arrived in the capital of Flanders.
The official presentation of the runners was held on Thursday on the Lille Grand-Place. It was already to the foil. At the foot of the goddess column, the emblem of the Lille, in the heart of the Grand-Place, it is a yellow jersey Who got caught up in Lille. Next to 12,000 people were massaged To see the 184 runners scrolling on the podium.
Between the Hourras and the songs of the traditional northern fanfars, Olivier and Robin come from Belgium to live this great departure. “It is the most beautiful event that takes place every year, it’s free, we are close to the big stars,” said Olivier. “The objective of the day is to recover a maximum of signatures from the runners,” said Robin.
It is Mathieu van der Poel Who passed in front of Yannick, he comes from Nièvre and he will not miss any stage of the Tour. “This is my 20th round, I am the race with my motorhome. There are many more people than the last two departures that I made abroad,” he noted. And that 3rd big departure of the Tour in Lille After 1960 and 1994 was eagerly awaited.
Large winners
Those who rub their hands, those who have a smile are the traders. They did not expect such a crowd. The Lille streets are black in people and, like Marine, behind the counter of her pastry, they are overwhelmed. “We really thought it was going to have an impact on Saturday, but it is already starting today. It brings a good atmosphere, people are looking forward to being on Saturday,” she said.
In the city of Wasquehal, a few kilometers away, Boris Delcroix agitates his new hotel, the Blessed, opened in April. “We receive an English sponsor, he brings his vans back at 2 p.m.,” he said.
While early July is not a big period in the North, the president of the Lille Métropole hotel club is delighted. “We have a peak of reservations which is worthy of a clearance sale. People arrived on Wednesday evening since we receive cycling teams, media and tourists who come clear for the Tour de France, “he detailed.
An economic success for the territory
Welcoming the departure of the Tour de France is rentable. An invested euro brings 7 euros into the boxes of the territory. The Metropolis of Lille, the Nord department and the Hauts-de-France region have invested in all 4.8 million euros. For Antoine Sillani, the vice-president of the Hauts-de-France region, it’s worth it. “Today, I did not find more profitable than a tour of France on a territory. We know that we are going to have a very big party in the region for a week, “he said.
