Hmmmmm..what to do this month? If you are Europe, there are some exciting sports events. Today, Lyon plays host to the FIFA Women’s World Cup. It’s guaranteed to be an exciting game. The World Champion American team faces the Netherlands.
But what has Belgium abuzz is the 2019 Tour de France.
Hundreds of people of all ages turned out in Tervuren’s town square to watch the Tour de France on a giant screen. Meanwhile thousands lined the town streets to watch live as the riders pedaled from Duisburg through Tervuren.
Tour de France Comes to Belgium
The Tour started in Brussels this year to honor the 50th anniversary of the win of Belgium’s own Eddy Mercks. He’s a legend here. My little of town of Tervuren was especially festive yesterday since Eddy, the most successful bicycle racer ever, lived here when he first won the Tour de France. In fact, he was fortunate enough to wear the infamous yellow jersey a record 111 times!
In the town’s market square, a giant television screen was set up to capture every riveting moment of the Tour with hundreds of fans of all ages watching. Of course, there was Belgian beer, snacks and music, and the party continued into the night!
On Saturday, the riders completed the 120-mile (194.2 km) Stage 1 course. Streets were closed and thousands turned out to cheer on the athletes here and throughout the route.
Stage 1 took riders on a fairly flat course through Brussels, Vlaams Brabant and Wallonie.
More Tour Stages Coming
Today, it’s an easy 17-mile run (27.6 km) as team trials take place. Cyclists pedal from the Palace to the iconic Brussels Atomium. Tomorrow, the 134-mile run (215 km) takes teams from Binche, Belgium, to the champagne capital of Epernay, France.
There are 21 stages in the Tour de France with the competition ending in Paris along the Champs Elysee on July 21. Check the full schedule here. And think about adding it to your schedule if you are traveling in Europe this month!
