Copenhagen, Denmark –
Central Copenhagen was closed on Friday ahead of the start of the Tour de France as riders prepared to tackle the first stage of the race, an individual time trial through the Danish capital.
Large areas along the 13-kilometre route were closed in the normally busy city center and rain fell which could make part of the stage treacherous – particularly the stretch across the square of Amalienborg Palace, the main residence of the Danish royal family, which is cobbled is paved. The time trial, a race against the clock in which riders set off at intervals one at a time, also passes some of Copenhagen’s other most iconic landmarks, including the statue of the Little Mermaid perched on her perch at the entrance to the harbour.
Earlier on Friday, Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik took a ride along the route.
“I just rode the route on my bike. It’s great to see the great support for the tour at home,” said 54-year-old Frederik, who was wearing a helmet, shorts and a t-shirt. The palace also posted vintage photos of Danish royals riding bicycles on Instagram, including Frederik’s great-grandfather, King Christian X and the current Queen Margrethe.
The stage starts at 4 p.m. local time (1400 GMT).
Some locals got up early to grab a good spot along the route, including 77-year-old Grethe Dalsgard, who told Danish broadcaster DR that she arrived around 7:30am and was about 20 meters from the finish line at the town Hall.
“I’m sure I can see them all,” Dalsgard told DR.
The three-week race includes two more stages in Denmark, including crossing the Great Belt Bridge, which connects the island of Zealand, where Copenhagen is located, to the central island of Funen.
The start in Denmark – the 24th start of the race outside of France – was due to take place in 2021 but was postponed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
After the Danish stages, riders travel to France with a stage between Dunkerque and Calais.
Last year, Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar won the Tour for the third consecutive year and is a clear favorite to retain his title. The race ends on July 24 in Paris.