- Just 100 days remain until the exhilarating Grand Départ of the 2025 Tour de France! Riders will embark on a thrilling 185-kilometer journey, starting and finishing in the vibrant city of Lille. Already embracing the excitement, Lille has unveiled a countdown clock in front of the train station, serving as a daily reminder of this epic cycling event.
- From tiny towns like Auch and Bayeux to bustling cities like Toulouse, and even the breathtaking mountain resort of La Plagne, the spirit of the Tour is illuminating public spaces and uniting amateur cyclists in rides for all skill levels.
- This year’s Tour will also feature a heartwarming Spelling Bee, gathering a record-breaking 35,000 children. They will get the chance to showcase their skills when the race visits their hometown in July!
Lille Starts the Clock: A Countdown to Glory
In an electrifying gesture, Lille has officially kicked off the countdown to the 2025 Tour de France! With only 100 days to go, anticipation is building among cycling enthusiasts, spectators, journalists, and an advertising caravan that promises to dazzle. The city’s dignitaries, including Lille’s Mayor Arnaud Deslandes and President of the North Departmental Council Christian Poiret, convened with Tour Director Christian Prudhomme for the ceremonial unveiling of the countdown clock, a jubilant symbol of the impending race.
Placed strategically at Lille-Flandres Station—a bustling hub set to host hundreds of thousands of travelers—the clock will soon become a beloved landmark for locals. As Poiret put it, **”The heart beats a little faster. Every day, when we pass in front of the station, we’ll think of the countdown.”** This kickoff celebration culminated with stunning illumination displays adorning some of Lille’s most revered structures, including the iconic Vieille Bourse and the splendid Palais des Beaux-Arts.
A France in Yellow: Local Farewells to a Legendary Race
The D-100 countdown isn’t just confined to Lille! Towns across France are donning their brightest yellow attire in celebration as they anticipate the Grand Départ. Toulouse’s grand Capitole has transformed its facade for the occasion, and a vibrant bicycle parade lit up Auch’s streets, showing towns in fervent enthusiasm. Moreover, **XXL replicas of the Yellow Jersey** have popped up in town halls throughout the nation—from Bayeux in Normandy to the breathtaking La Plagne in the Alps, where a striking cyclist sculpture welcomes tourists.
This season is marked by a wave of local initiatives, with towns hosting celebrations that resonate with their own D-100 milestones. Exciting times await as each locale contributes to the **carnival atmosphere** leading up to one of cycling’s most prestigious events!
The Tour Dictation: A Contest for Young Minds
While the cyclists gear up for the race, an inspiring competition has taken center stage with the eighth edition of the Tour Dictation. This engaging event invites fifth and sixth graders from schools along the Tour’s route to partake in a unique dictation, penned from a local news article about the Tour. The inaugural session featured 475 spirited Lille students, eager to transcribe the prose as read by the illustrious Professor Prudhomme.
The excitement doesn’t end there! Tomorrow, an additional 35 cities and 17 locales associated with the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will join in on the fun, featuring notable readers such as Marion Rousse and former Sports Minister Valérie Fourneyron. And the best part? The top eight contestants will earn a spot in the world of cycling—spending a day directly on the Tour!
Tour Dictation: A Statistical Insight
- 8th edition, with **35,000 students expected** (up from 27,000 in 2024).
- **70 cities and local authorities** mobilized for the event.
- Mayenne leads with **2,750 participating children**.
- Dunkirk claims the title with **1,750 students** this year.
- Approximately **60 age-appropriate texts** selected for the children.
- **35,000 pens and rulers** distributed at sites.
- **25,000 copies of the Tour de France** and **10,000 copies of the Tour de France Femmes** provided for educational use.
- **30,000 copies of the educational booklet** “Life on a Bike with Maxoo” created for students.
- The winners will be revealed on **May 16, 2025**, just 50 days before the Grand Départ!
