Yesterday’s second stage of the Giro d’Italia resulted in a huge number of crowds by the roadside, with an estimated half a million spectators lining the route of the 209 kilometre race from Amsterdam to Utrecht.
The calculations were quoted by representatives of the Provence of Utrecht, who said that 200 to 250,000 of those were in the finishing city, with the rest scattered along the other parts of the stage.
The figure is a jump from the estimated 150,000 people who turned out for stage one, the 8.4 kilometre prologue in Amsterdam. The number was undoubtedly affected by the poor weather, which saw heavy showers fall during the day.
The overall reaction from the first two days is very encouraging, in terms of turnout, and highlights the benefit in starting Grand Tours outside the country of origin. The Tour de France began in London in 2007 and received huge support from the public.
Washington is lobbying to win the rights to host the race start in 2012, and will be greatly encouraged by the figures.
This year’s Tour de France will begin in Rotterdam on July 3rd. With the 2009 Vuelta a España having started in Assen, it means that cycling’s three Grand Tours will have started in the same country within a period of less than one year. The passion of the fans will be greatly appreciated, while the crashes resulting from yesterday’s road furniture may have caused some concern amongst those working for Tour de France organiser ASO. They will be keen to avoid any such incidents in July.
Overall, the experience of starting the race in the Netherlands is likely to be deemed a very positive one.