COPENHAGEN – Fans braved the rain and packed downtown Copenhagen as the Tour de France got underway Friday, with Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik watching from in front of the royal palace as riders set off gingerly on the rain-slick roads.
The 176 riders will hit speeds of up to 60kph as they ride past sights including the Little Mermaid statue, the harbour-front Blox building and the Amalienborg palace.
“What a gift to me from my team,” said Jeremy Lecroq, who went first.
The starting gate was a hub of activity, with many of the poncho-clad fans outside the Tivoli theme park, next to Copenhagen’s eye-catching central train station, enjoying hotdogs and beers in a festive atmosphere.
The…
