The Tour de France is commemorating the Centenary of the First World War by following a route which includes some of the key battlefields from the conflict.
The Grand Depart for the annual cycling tournament was in Yorkshire, England, on Saturday 5th July 2014. Stage five of the route, held yesterday, saw cyclists race from Ypres in Belgium to Arenberg Port du Hainot (156km). Wet weather played a part in a major upset, which saw the defending champion, Chris Froome, suffer several falls forcing his withdrawal from the tournament.
Stage six, from Arras to Reims, will also follow much of the First World War Western Front. The battlefields of Verdun and Douaumont are included in Stage seven.
To find out more, visit the Tour de France website here.
Source: Tour de France
Images courtesy of the Tour de France
Posted by: Daniel Barry, Centenary News