Thousands of fans crowded the streets hours before the peloton was scheduled to pass through Montmartre on Sunday, hoping to secure a perfect position to witness cyclists ascend the famous hill during the race’s last stage.
This year’s Tour aims to build on the Olympic road race in Paris’s widespread popularity. Huge crowds gathered to support cyclists at the previous year’s Olympics in Montmartre, a northern Parisian suburb known for its artistic legacy and expansive city views.
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The tour organizers chose to add the Montmartre climb to this summer’s itinerary because of the hectic atmosphere. Before reaching the finish line on the Champs-lys es, riders will climb the slope and pass beneath the Sacr-Coeur basilica.
Long before the race leader and his competitors were anticipated to take on the challenging climb, spectators started to arrive on the cobbled Rue Lepic early on Sunday. To make sure they didn’t miss a second of the action, fans also crowded the steps underneath the Sacr-Coeur.
Enthusiastic fans’ singing and applause filled the happy scene.
Kevin Vauquelin, la, la, la, la! cheered for the French rider who placed first in the race as some fans wearing polka-dot T-shirts wound up Rue Lepic.
Before ascending to the Butte Montmartre, riders will also pass the Moulin Rouge. Outside the cabaret, a French Cancan will be performed by dancers dressed in tricolor costumes to commemorate the event.
On the Champs-Elyses, the final stage is typically primarily processional until a sprint determines the day’s winner. It is unlikely that many sprinters will compete for the stage win on Sunday because the last climb is less than 7 kilometers from the finish.
Over half a million people watched the road races in Paris during the Olympics.
Due to a schedule dispute with the Olympics, last year’s Tour ended outside of Paris for the first time since 1905, with the final stage taking place in Nice. This year, the Champs-lyses made a comeback to wrap up the 3,320-kilometer (2,060-mile) race.
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AP cycling
