The 176 contenders of the 105th Tour de France were introduced to the crowd on the Napoleon square of La Roche-sur-Yon. The teams presentation is always a special moment for the riders as the race comes after a long lead up to their objective. “It gives me goose bumps again”, noted Romain Bardet who embarks for his sixth Grande Boucle. “Back in 2003, I went to watch the teams presentation in Paris”, Arnaud Démare recalled. “So every time I take part in it on the other side of barriers, I realize that I’ve made my dream come true.” There are 35 debutants this year. “This is a moment I will remember for the rest of my life”, said the youngest of them, Egan Bernal, 21. “I’ve been waiting for this for twenty-five years, since I started watching the race on TV as a kid back in Australia”, commented Rory Sutherland who got his first call for the Tour de France at the age of 36! It was a time to reflect for others like the defending champion. “I can’t believe that it was ten years ago when I started my first Tour de France in Brest”, Chris Froome commented. Last to appear on stage, local squad Direct Energie was the most applauded team. Six of their eight riders have come out of their legendary feeder team Vendée U. It was another emotional first time for debutant Fabien Grellier, their only rider who hails from the Vendée province. Aizenay, his hometown, is only fifteen kilometres away from La Roche-sur-Yon. It feels good for everyone when the Tour kicks off from a hot bed of cycling.
