Here is a great photo from the Flickr Blog:
Tour De France, photo by Will Rose.
If I’m right that is Australian world champion Michael Rogers riding a bike manufactured by the Taiwanese-based Giant Bicycles for the German-based T-Mobile cycling team in the first stage of this years Tour de France, which was held in London.
Go go globalisation!
The tour has always (in modern times) been global. Ever since Greg Lemond (almost) won in 1985 and since 7-eleven first entered. It’s been raced across the continent (and previously in the UK) has had a bunch of overseas riders (including many Kiwi’s) and has (at least in the past few decades) used gear from international manufactuers.
Giro (US) and Oakley (US) and Scott (US) introduced EPS helmets, widespread sunglass use and Aero bars to the peleton respectively
Hopefully we’ll see Saasu.com, Xero.com, planHQ.com or some other ANZAC IT company on those banners in the background!