The 198 riders who will start the 2017 Tour de France on Saturday met the German public Thursday at the team presentation, held on the Burgplatz in the centre of Düsseldorf. Photographer Kristof Ramon was there to capture the action.
-
- The world champion. We will see what the 2017 Tour holds for Peter Sagan and Bora-Hansgrohe.
-
- Orica-Scott rolled in illuminated by Esteban Chaves’ smile.
-
- Bernie Eisel hitched a ride.. or was he giving a push?
-
- Swiss riders Michael Schar and Stefan Küng dialed in their social media during the team presentation.
-
- At home on the pavé, a solo Greg Van Avermaet observed the crowds in Düsseldorf.
-
- Nairo Quintana will surely contend the general classification during this year’s Tour.
-
- Huge crowds came out despite the lack of sunshine Thursday morning in Düsseldorf.
-
- The 104th Tour de France will be the first for Cannondale-Drapac’s Taylor Phinney.
-
- The men of Trek-Segafredo rolled into the presentation under ominous skies.
-
- 2017 will mark Alberto Contador’s tenth Tour de France.
-
- Fabio Felline (Trek-Segafredo) on the yellow brick road.
-
- A stoic Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) aboard a shiny new machine.
-
- Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step Floors) appeared thrilled to start his fifth Tour de France in his home country.
-
- Katusha-Alpecin sprinter Alexander Kristoff is sure to contest a handful of stages at this year’s Tour.
-
- The last time the Grand Départ was in Germany was 1987, when Katusha-Alpecin rider Tony Martin was two years old.
-
- Fans of all ages came out to witness the team presentation.
-
- France’s Thibaut Pinot riding his fifth Tour de France for Française des Jeux and has won two stages in that time (2012 and 2015)
-
- Flags of Colombia in support of Nairo Quintana were draped from the windows in Düsseldorf.
-
- Perennially strong Alejandro Valverde is in his seventh season with Movistar. Despite rumors of personal GC goals, he bluntly stated he’ll be riding in support of Nairo Quintana at this year’s Tour.
-
- Defending champion Chris Froome Team Sky) rolled in accompanied by teammate Michal Kwiatkowski.