Photography by BrakeThrough Media
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- The 2016 Tour de France Grand Depart is paying tribute to WWII and D-Day. Here a memorial remembers a paratrooper who missed his mark and got his parachute caught on a local church.
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- Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo) was calm and collected at his final Tour de France team presentation.
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- The team presentation is more than just an introduction of the riders, it’s a show. Vendors where on hand grilling sausages for the throngs of fans.
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- Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing) is looking for redemption after falling ill on the final rest day last year and abandoning while sitting third overall.
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- The people of Normandy were thrilled to welcome the Grand Depart of the 2016 Tour de France.
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- World champion Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) never shies away from the spotlight. The Slovakian stole the show and even got a smile out of the often quiet Alberto Contador.
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- The team presentation is a light-hearted affair with singing and dancing. It’s a nice introduction to what is usually an extremely stressful three weeks for all involved.
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- John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin) is happy to be at the Tour after the team’s horrific training accident in January.
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- Away from the spectacle of the team presentation, the mechanics were hard at work with final preparations.
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- Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) was smiling at the team presentation, but enters the Tour with pressure on his shoulders, chasing stage wins for his team, but also thinking about the Olympic Games in August.
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- While Nairo Quintana was in the spotlight, Alejandro Valverde seemed at ease at team presentation. After finishing third overall at the Giro, the Spaniard has fully committed to helping Quintana win the yellow jersey for Movistar.
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- The new Cannondale-Drapac color scheme has drawn many references to Santa Claus, and the Christmas holiday.
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- Astana has won the last two Grand Tours with Fabio Aru (foreground) winning the Vuelta in September, and Vincenzo Nibali the Giro in May. The world will will watching how the two work together throughout the Tour, with the younger Aru riding as the team’s designated leader.
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- Two-time Tour de France champion, Chris Froome (Team Sky) will have the backing of a team rich with climbers as he looks to join the exclusive three-time champion club.