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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Angela Giuffrida in Rome

A grand departure: Italy gears up to host start of Tour de France for first time

Cinzia Otri handing a customer a cone of yellow ice-cream
Cinzia Otri of Gelateria della Passera, where a yellow and purple ice-cream pays tribute to both the yellow jersey and the colours of Florence. Photograph: Michele Borzoni/The Guardian

The Tuscan capital of Florence is no stranger to tourists, but they are usually more interested in frescoes and Michelangelo than yellow jerseys and Tadej Pogačar.

On Saturday, however, an estimated 800,000 cycling fans are expected to gather in the city for the Grand Départ of the Tour de France, the first time Italy has hosted the start of the world’s most famous cycle race in its 121-year history.

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