London to Paris

 

 

The London-Paris Cycle Tour rolled out of Hampton Court Palace this morning (26 June) en route to Dover. The 185km route included a 2km King of the Mountains climb at Gouldhurst, which featured in last years Tour de France.

 

Around 250 riders were led through the busy streets surrounding Hampton Court Palace by motorbike outriders and eight Subaru lead.

 

Known as the professional event for amateurs, the London-Paris Cycle Tour provides amateur and recreational riders with a unique cycling experience, through the contrasting scenes around two very different countries. The Tour has also attracted celebrity riders including 1987 Tour de France winner Stephen Roche and double Olympic rowing Champion, James Cracknell.

 

The first half of the stage was taken at a good pace, with group one maintaining a higher speed than the three groups behind them. James Cracknell made the jump from group two to group one near Crawley, where he took advantage of the small gap between the front two groups. The move suggested that he might be looking closer at a jersey than he originally suggested.

 

The afternoon session saw tired riders reach the last climb into Dover. This split the groups as they rode into the finish at the port of Dover, in order to catch the ferry into Calais.

 

As reward for excellent climbing throughout the day, Michael Attenborough of Team Valad / Sportique has captured the King of the Mountains jersey after day 1. He will look to defend it over the next two days of riding.

 

Riders now attempt to relax for another big stage tomorrow, where the jerseys will be hotly contested, but everybody will have their own individual challenge within the London-Paris Cycle Tour.