Rotterdam this evening staged a Meet The Riders event to welcome the Tour De France which starts in the Dutch city on Saturday.
Although a city more geared up for the World Cup with orange and white and blue flags everywhere disguising the fact Le Tour and all that goes with the world's greatest cycle race entails, was in town, there was a reasonable turn out to meet the riders.
Many stood on the Erasmus Bridge as there were reports that spectators were being charged although we did not see any evidence of it.
Team Colombia which featured Mark Cavendish (pictured below) was first to be unveiled. Cavendish said that he would be trying his best to win the green jersey.
The rest of the teams including Team Sky's Bradley Wiggins, British Champion Geraint Thomas and Steve Cummings were unveiled.
Most were quickly wheeled in past the media which came from all over Europe including our own ITV4 as well as Japan and Australia, who were trying to grab what shots and copy they could.
World Champion Cadel Evans
As usual Lance Armstrong (pictured below) attracted a frenzy before quickly being whisked away.
You can catch Le Tour on Eurosport and ITV4 starting on Saturday.
All pictures copyright of Covsupport News Service.