Happy 100th Tour de France
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ByEurosport
Published 01/07/2003 at 12:44 GMT
Exactly 100 years ago, the very first Tour de France left the start line outside the Réveil-Matin café in the Parisian suburb of Montgeron. That's where festivities honouring the 100th edition of the world's most famous race get underway later on Tuesday.
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
Tour de France chiefs Patrice Clerc and Jean-Marie Leblanc were set to inaugurate a new neighborhood in Montgeron named after 1903 winner Maurice Garin.
The two were also due to unveil a plaque on the wall of the building which used to be the Reveil Matin cafe, the site from which 60 riders embarked on the first Tour on July 1, 1903.
Each of the 20 stages of this month's Tour will also be a chance to celebrate the centenary.
From the prologue near the Eiffel Tower to the finish on the Champs Elysees on July 27, events and shows are scheduled to mark a hundred years of sporting achievements and dramas.
An exhibition of pictures and films is on display in Paris city hall, where the 22 teams and 198 riders will be presented to the public on Friday.
At the start of the first stage on Sunday, all the French holders of the overall leader's yellow jersey will be honoured.
Stamps and coins have been issued to celebrate the anniversary.
The main celebrations will take place at the finish on the Champs Elysees, when this year's champion will be honoured along with the 22 former winners still alive.
Eurosport TV will bring you exclusive live coverage of the teams presentation outside the Paris City Hall Friday evening from 19:00 cet as well as complete start-to-finish coverage of every stage beginning with Saturday's prologue below the Eiffel Tower starting at 15:30 cet.
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