Tour de France makes a return, of sorts, to Kent
From the sun-kissed French Riviera, via high Pyrenean passes, and on to the ChampsÉlysées in the heart of Paris this year’s Tour de France will once again provide stunning backdrops for the world’s most famous cycle race.
But British TV viewers enjoying the action and marvelling at the scenery may not know that much of the ITV coverage is coming to them direct from Kent, filmed right here in the county at Maidstone Studios. The event began in Nice on Saturday and sees Colombian Egan Bernal defending his title over 21 days of gruelling racing before the winner is crowned in the French capital on Sunday, September 20.
Restrictions in place due to Covid-19 mean it is likely to be a different spectacle this year, with fewer fans thronging the roadside as the riders battle for the coveted yellow jersey.
This also means the presenting team of Gary Imlach, Chris Boardman MBE and former Team Sky rider Peter Kennaugh are broadcasting from the county town for the duration of the race, rather than being beamed into our homes from France.
Maidstone Studios chairman Geoff Miles expressed his delight that coverage of the 107th edition of the epic contest will be produced here in Kent. “The Tour de France is iconic and a highlight in the sporting calendar,” he said.
“At a time when so many events have had to be cancelled the fact the Tour de France is now able to go ahead is exciting and we are thrilled to be able to help bring this prestigious event into people’s homes.”
While this year’s involvement in the Garden of England may be limited to analysis of the action, the county has been the stage for the famous Grand Tour in the past.
In 1994 stage four of the race was held from Dover to Brighton, to mark the recent opening of the Channel Tunnel. British fans had a homegrown hero to cheer on, with Boardman donning the yellow jersey after a win in the opening time trial just two years after his Olympic gold medal in Barcelona.
The Tour returned to the county in 2007, beginning with a time trial in London before the opening stage of the contest took the riders from the capital to the finish line in Canterbury. There was more for the home crowd to celebrate when the race arrived in the cathedral city, with Scotsman David Millar donning the red and white polka-dot jersey in Kent, the first Briton to do so in 21 years. This year’s race covers 3,470 kilometres and Bernal is expected to be challenged by the likes of Primoz Roglic, Tom Dumoulin and Nairo Quintana for the overall crown.