Tour De France cyclists inspire Hackney youngsters
The Tour De France passes through Hackney. Photo Hackney Council. - Credit: Archant
Thousands of spectators lined the streets of Hackney to cheer on cyclists from world’s greatest bike race, the Tour de France.
The Tour De France passes through Hackney. Photo Hackney Council. - Credit: Archant
The riders sped along Ruckholt Road, the Eastway and Waterden Road in Hackney Wick, before racing through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and into central London.
Oscar Serpell-Bell, eight, who is a member of Cycle Club Hackney, watched the race with his family.
He said: “Seeing the Tour in real life is really exciting. I want to be a professional cyclist when I grow up and Mark Cavendish is my hero.”
The pre-Tour publicity caravan arrived in Hackney at around 1pm, whipping up excitement in the crowd and handing out promotional goodies.
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Moritz Steiger, 48, a photographer from Hackney Central, said: “The Tour is something I’ve always wanted to see, so I couldn’t miss the opportunity when it’s right on my doorstep.”
The first three stages – known as the Grand Depart – of the prestigious race took place in the UK from 5 to 7 July, with the third section covering 96 miles (155km) and passing through Cambridgeshire, Essex, North and East London before finishing in Westminster.
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Marcel Kittel of Germany crossed the line first in three hours and 38 minutes, after also winning the opening stage in Yorkshire.
Some 6,000 marshals and volunteers were on duty for the Tour, which is said to have inspired a whole new generation of cyclists.
Mayor of Hackney, Jules Pipe, said: “It was an absolute honour for Hackney to be able to host a section of the Tour, and I’m proud the community was able to give the riders such a warm welcome.
“It was exhilarating to know that the eyes of the world were turned upon us, albeit briefly, to see cycling’s top talent compete for the yellow jersey.
“We’re already London’s number one cycling borough and I hope the Tour will have inspired yet more of our residents to take to their bikes and get active.”