TOUR DE FRANCE SAITAMA CRITERIUM: THE TOUR IS BACK
July 9 th 2024 - 21:43 [GMT + 9]
The elite riders from the Tour de France will be present on 1st and 2nd November in Saitama, to celebrate the 10th edition of the Japanese race.
There is already a hint of Saitama in the Tour de France: the Tsuru was handed over this morning by Marcel Kittel, the event's ambassador, to Christian Prudhomme to ensure good luck and protection for all followers of the Grande Boucle.
Join us at the beginning of November to see the stars of the Tour de France compete alongside the best Asian riders in exceptional settings
For a number of years, the city of Saitama has forged a special link with the Tour de France. The Japanese spectators are genuine two-wheel enthusiasts as well as great connoisseurs who know how to worthily welcome the biggest names in world cycling. This edition will also be the opportunity to celebrate the city joining the family of the “Tour de France Cycle City” label.
For its tenth edition, Saitama will be pulling out all the stops! After sharing in the celebrations with local spectators, the elite riders will take to the tarmac of the city’s streets on Saturday 2nd November. The start will take place from the Saitama Super Arena, a major venue for international, cultural and sporting events (concerts, shows, the Olympic Games, etc). By the end of the day we will know who will be adding their name to a list already packed with impressive names, such as Peter Sagan, Alejandro Valverde, Christopher Froome, Tadej Pogacar and also the all-time Tour de France stage victory record holder Mark Cavendish (35).
Before then, Saitama will be on the wheel of the 111th Tour de France: event ambassador Marcel Kittel gave the famous Tsuru to Christian Prudhomme on Tuesday 9th July in Orléans. This 1,000-piece origami structure, made over several months by children and supporters in Saitama, is a reference to the legend of the thousand cranes, according to which the Tsuru makes your dreams come true. Through this action, the organisers of the Tour de France Saitama Criterium wish good luck and a safe race to the Tour de France.
The Tour de France Saitama Criterium will once again provide an exceptional opportunity to raise the profile of the Tour de France all over the world and will give fans of the race an opportunity to see their favourite riders in action.