Can someone please explain why the Tour de France begins in Liege, Belgium?

July 22, 2004 7:48 AM

Can someone please explain why the Tour de France begins in Liege, Belgium?
posted by graventy to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (6 answers total)

It actually began in Ireland in 1998, I think it is a publicity thing. Good for the race's profile and good for showcasing the country it is 'visiting'.
posted by kenaman at 7:50 AM on July 22, 2004

The route changes every year, and often involves one or more nearby foreign countries, for the same reason the olympics are held in different countries every four: publicity. "This year's tour route announced; includes Malta" is just one more story the race organisers can get into the media. Changing the route also helps encourage spectatorship.
posted by ChasFile at 7:59 AM on July 22, 2004

There was talk of a stage in Montreal once. I still think that would be cool, although the riders might not appreciate the jet lag. Follow-up question: Has the Tour always finished in Paris?
posted by teg at 8:58 AM on July 22, 2004

Has the Tour always finished in Paris?

IANATdFHistorian, but I think so, yeah. It's traditional. The last day usually isn't that critical, the yellow jersey having been decided in the last mountain or time-trial stages.
posted by bonehead at 9:09 AM on July 22, 2004

AFAIK the first stage is always outside France. It went through UK once, I watched it zing through Brighton.
posted by carter at 10:14 AM on July 22, 2004

Quebec City will be celebrating its 400th anniversary on July 3, 2008 and has been trying to get the Tour to do a stage nearby as part of the summer celebrations. So far, I've heard that the organizers have said the plane rides will be too much of an interruption, but I gather Quebec continues to lobby for it.

It would be fun. There's some nice hilly terrain around the city.
posted by zadcat at 10:59 AM on July 22, 2004