Tour details announced

The final details of the Tour de France start were announced yesterday by Dr Jim McDaid, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation. He was joined by Stephen Roche and the tour organisers in Dublin Castle where the race headquarters will be set up next week.

The 21 starting teams were confirmed as well as parking and pedestrian information for the three race days. The teams include the top 16 from the UCI cycling rankings as well as five `wild card' teams allocated on the results from the early part of the season. There are also two replacements named should any team drop out before the start in 11 days' time.

Both Dublin and Cork will be providing facilities to encourage the public to come into the city. Five sites have been chosen in Dublin with parking for up to 12,200 cars at locations in the Phoenix Park, Kennel Club, Holy Cross, RDS and UCD. Special shuttle buses from 9.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. will service the sites as well as the existing bus services from Holy Cross and UCD.

Cork will also set up five such facilities at Ballincollig Rugby Club, Kilbarry Industrial Estate, Lotbeg, Tivoli Docks and the New Road Network. Train services from Cobh and Mallow will be in operation and coach parking is reserved along Kennedy Quay.