Utrecht welcome the 2015 Tour De France on Thursday night.
The Dutch city spent one and half million euros on staging the Grand Depart which included a meet the riders presentation at the Park Lepelenburg, a short bike ride from the starting ramp where the first stage will start on Saturday.
After a popular Dutch singer and a band were introduced to a crowd which included a number of Brits as well as the world's media, the Mayor Of Utrecht Jan van Zanen and ASO's top man Monsieur Christophe Prudhomme, came to the stage.
van Zanen thanked everyone who made it possible and urged everyone to attend the opening stage and the departure to Zelande on Sunday whilst Mr Prudhoome said it was not by luck that The Netherlands had on six occasions hosted a Grand Depart.
He added:"The Netherlands is a country of bikes, even the Mayor rides one."
Without further ado, the twenty two teams were introduced so the fans could see the riders who will be taking part in the 102nd edition.
Pictures copyright of Covsupport News Service