On the scene in Florence for the Tour’s Grand Depart

The Tour de France is starting in Italy for the first time in its 120-year history, and I’m here to enjoy it for the first time in my never-you-mind-how-many-year history!

The schedule on Thursday was challenging, because the top-rider press conferences in Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio continued until after the start of the teams’ presentation in Piazzale Michelangelo, a 30-minute (uphill) walk away. So, I only caught the first two pressers before heading up to Piazzale Michelangelo.