On the scene in Florence for the Tour’s Grand Depart

The Tour de France is beginning in Italy for the primary time in its 120-year historical past, and I’m right here to get pleasure from it for the primary time in my never-you-mind-how-many-year historical past!

The schedule on Thursday was difficult, as a result of the top-rider press conferences in Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio continued till after the beginning of the groups’ presentation in Piazzale Michelangelo, a 30-minute (uphill) stroll away. So, I solely caught the primary two pressers earlier than heading as much as Piazzale Michelangelo.

First was Alpecin’s Mathieu Van Der Poel and Jasper Philipsen, who wore fetching child blue t-shirts and appeared relaxed and in good spirits.

Subsequent was Remco Evenepoel, who wore a masks all through, which appeared like a really wise precaution given how rampant Covid is now in Europe (and within the peloton).

On my manner out of Palazzo Vecchio, I encountered preparations for the riders’ briefing earlier than the groups’ presentation. This gendarme took her job of guarding the bikes room very critically (i.e., she wouldn’t let me in).

Because the riders gathered for the briefing, Geraint Thomas and Jonas Vingegaard stopped for a chat.

After a hike as much as Piazzale Michelangelo, I discovered that even staying downhill for the primary two press conferences meant that there was no house left on the raised platform for photographers, so I improvised by standing on a plastic chair beneath the television digicam platform.

EF was the primary staff up, and newly topped Italian nationwide champion Alberto Bettiol acquired an ecstatic ovation.

EF’s different new nationwide champion, Sean Quinn, rides off the stage:

The ceremony was carried out in each Italian and English, and Mark Cavendish, in response to a moderator’s query in English, impressed the group by answering in Italian.

Mathieu Van Der Poel:

Primoz Roglic:

Tadej Pogacar revved up the group, took selfies, and customarily gave the impression to be having a good time.

His hair was completely on level, with spiky tufts able to peak out by his helmet vents.

The riders had apparently been given Italian flag buffs, and a few wore them round their wrists or on their handlebars, however Lenny Martinez took the model prize by sporting his as a headscarf.

Geraint Thomas:

European champion Christophe LaPorte:

Jonas Vingegaard:

Wout Van Aert:

The neutralized begin of stage one wound by the historic middle of Florence. There was an area for photographers in Piazza della Signoria, however I didn’t just like the sightline there, so I discovered a spot the place I might see the riders move Florence’s spectacular Duomo (Cathedral).