Tour de France Utrecht 2015 - Press Pack
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Press Pack
Tour de France
Utrecht 2015
#TDFutrecht
www.tourdefranceutrecht.com
Contents
A warm
welcome to
Utrecht!
Welcome to Utrecht 3
utrecht: heart of the Netherlands 4
Historic and dynamic 6
development10
Flourishing culture 12
The bike centre stage 14
FACTS & FIGURES 16
Dutch cycling heroes 18
How to reach Utrecht? 20
contact22
Utrecht Tour de France 2015 2
Welcome to Utrecht
Ready,
steady, go
Dreams that come true – it doesn’t
always happen. But today it will.
The Tour de France will start in Utrecht.
In our very own city. In 2015.
When a dream like this comes true,
it fits to extend a very warm welcome.
Welcome, Tour de France, in the City and Province
of Utrecht, for the Grand Départ of the 102nd Tour!
The first scuffles in a new heroic cycling race, that
will climax in distant and high mountains, will
take place just around the corner. Together with the
organisers we put on a stage that is solid as a rock.
A stage through the heart of cycling country the
Netherlands, a friendly and hospitable country of
woodlands, fields, lakes and rivers, full of talented,
curious and entrepreneurial people. On this authen
tic Utrecht stage the rider with the best legs will
win – encouraged by sports fans of all ages.
2015 – Grand Départ. The eyes of the world are
on the Tour and on Utrecht. Who will win the first
yellow jersey? Utrecht and the Utrechters are ready
for the start.
Aleid Wolfsen
Mayor of Utrecht
Utrecht Tour de France 2015 3
UTRECHT: HEART OF THE NETHERLANDS
The Tour returns
Amsterdam
(schiphol)
to the Netherlands
35 km
utrecht
rotterdam
In 2015 the Tour de France will start in Utrecht. After five
years the biggest annual sports event in the world is back
in the Netherlands. The Grand Départ is a cycling festivity
that perfectly fits bicycle city Utrecht. It’s the chance for
everyone in the Netherlands to experience the Tour de
France from up close and a chance for the world to meet
the surprising city of Utrecht.
The Netherlands is known country with the highest bicycle
around the world for windmills, density in the world. To Utrecht,
the Delta Works, tulips, clogs, the city with the highest sports
Delftware and bicycles. In 2014 participation in the biggest cities
the Netherlands will be in the of the Netherlands. In 2010 it
spotlight as a cycling nation. was Rotterdam that welcomed
With good cause. With 17,000 the Tour entourage to the Dutch
kilometres of cycling paths and harbour city. An impressive
4,500 kilometres of national trail of riders crossed the iconic
cycling routes, the Netherlands Erasmus Bridge. In 2015 is
is a cycling nation per definition. the turn of Utrecht, with its
With Utrecht as its athletic young population and historic
beating heart. After five years, the city, to embrace this huge
Tourstart Rotterdam 2010 start of the Tour returns to the sports event.
Utrecht Tour de France 2015 4
The Netherlands
The Netherlands has approximately 16,805,037
inhabitants, spread across twelve provinces
20% of all tweets world wide originate from
the Netherlands
The Netherlands has 132,397 kilometres of
roads; about four times the world round
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport welcomes
51 million passengers a year. They fly directly
to 318 destinations around the world
The Dutch are on average the tallest people
in the world
The Tour de France will start in
the Netherlands for the sixth time; a record!
Cycling
z With 19 million bicycles in working order the
Netherlands has the highest bicycle density
in the world
z Every Dutch primary school pupil does an
exam to obtain their cycling diploma
z 84% of the Dutch people have one or more
bikes at their disposal
z Every year 15 billion kilometres pass
underneath the wheels of these bikes
z The Netherlands has a unique ‘National
Bicycle Plan’, allowing the tax man to pay Her Majesty Queen Máxima and Mayor Wolfsen on bikes
for 52% of your bike at the opening of the Máximapark in Utrecht.
Utrecht Tour de France 2015 5
HISTORIC AND DYNAMIC
Discover Utrecht
Utrecht is the beating There is a lot to discover in
heart of the Netherlands. Utrecht. Romanesque churches,
A bustling university city medieval wharves and of course
with unique dynamics. the beautiful Gothic Dom Tower:
the highest cathedral tower in
Compact enough to
the Netherlands and the pride of
discover the historic inner
Utrecht. Just outside the city lay
city by foot. Big enough unique fortresses and the magi
to enjoy cosmopolitan cal castle De Haar. From medieval
festivals, surprising canals, century old churches
museums and trendy to modern architecture, Utrecht
shops for days at end. is rightly a city of monuments.
Light art in the
Ganzenmarkt tunnel
The Dom Tower illuminated beautifully by ‘Trajectum Lumen’.
Utrecht Tour de France 2015 6
Bustling university city
Utrecht is an active student city. The presence
of more than 65,000 innovative and creative
students makes the city bustle. Brains and beauty.
It really is Utrecht at its best. It also makes
Utrecht an attractive business destination.
Scientific and medical centres and the centrally
located Jaarbeurs make Utrecht the Netherlands’
foremost congress city.
1
World famous architecture
2
Time has not stood still. Utrecht is also attracts
lovers of modern architecture. The Rietveld
Schröder House is a must see. On the Utrecht
Science Park special designs by top architects mark
the skyline with the Educatorium by Rem Koolhaas,
Neutelings Riedijk’s Minnaert Building and the
University Library by Wiel Arets.
Strong economy
Since 2012 the business community, research
institutes and the authorities are working together
in the Economic Board Utrecht (EBU). The EBU was
set up to further stimulate the economy of Utrecht.
With success: the province of Utrecht was named
most competitive region of Europe by the European
Commission for the second year in row.
1
Utrecht: a lively student city
2
University Library Utrecht by Wiel Arets
Utrecht Tour de France 2015 7
The Dom Paushuize
Symbol of the city and the pride The Paushuize (Pope House)
of every Utrechter: the Dom. With is the second oldest building
465 steps and a height of 112 in the historic part of Utrecht.
metres it’s the highest church in This city palace was originally
the Netherlands and the highest built in 1517 for the only
building in Utrecht. Climbing the ever Dutch pope, Adrianus VI.
Dom gives you the opportunity to This amazing building has a
take in breath taking panoramic spectacular interior and still
views of the city and region. exudes the atmosphere of a
After a legendary hurricane in palace. The Paushuize recog
1645, that hit the nave of the nizable by its red bricks
cathedral, only the imposing with lighter coloured layers
chancel, transept and tower of of natural stone and stepped
the church remained standing. gable. 1
www.domtoren.nl www.paushuize.nl
2 3
Canals Castle De Haar
The Utrecht canals with their Castle De Haar is the biggest and
wharves and wharf cellars are most enchanting castle of the
unique in the world and shape Netherlands. Throughout the year
the characteristic view of the city it’s bustling with activities.
centre. The two kilometre long www.kasteeldehaar.nl
Oudegracht (Old Canal) was the
main thoroughfare of the city
from the 12th century. In the
13th century the wharves were
added as a second street at water
level. The long cellars run
all the way back to under the
houses and were used for 1
Paushuize
storage. Nowadays the canals 2
Dom: pride of the city
and wharves are a lively area 3
The Netherlands’ biggest castle:
for nightlife. De Haar
Utrecht Tour de France 2015 8
Athletic Utrecht
The start of the Tour de France
fits the varied and dynamic
sports city of Utrecht perfectly.
The focus is on youth and talent;
everyone should be able to
enjoy sports on his or her level.
Utrechters are young, highly
educated and sports minded.
With 70% the participation in
sports is higher than the national
average. Utrecht’s central
position in the Netherlands and
the wide range of modern indoor
and outdoor sports facilities
on offer, makes Utrecht an
important meeting point for
sports. Talents inspire each other
and future stage and medal
winners are born. In short, in
Utrecht the sporting talent of
everyone takes a central position.
Cycling talents from across Europe during EYOF Utrecht 2013
Utrecht Tour de France 2015 9
development
Investing in
Utrecht’s future
Besides a historic city Utrecht is also a modern city in
development. With investments the city grows and flourishes
in all kinds of ways. For example the station area is
undergoing an extensive metamorphosis and expansion
site Leidsche Rijn is gaining more and more shape
just 20 minutes from the historic inner city. Along the
Catharijnesingel a unique and striking concert hall is arising:
TivoliVredenburg.
Combined musical forces Utrecht Central Station
Combining forces and mutually Metamorphosis
Concert hall: TivoliVredenburg (above) reinforcing each other; a good Due to its central position Utrecht
An impression of the new station area (below) example is concert hall Tivoli is a hub for road, water and rail
Vredenburg. Former music transport. Every year about 88
centre Vredenburg is rebuilt and million passengers pas through
expanded with pop music venue Utrecht Central Station and this
Tivoli and jazz centre SJU. Besides will increase to 100 million a year
architect Herman Hertzberger’s by 2020. To accommodate this
big large concert hall, there will Utrecht is building a new public
be four new halls for pop, jazz, transport terminal. In 2016 the
cross-over and chamber music. The station with its unique light
city’s new icon can accommodate transmitting rippled roof is plan-
5,500 music lovers. 2014 is marked ned to be finished. Up until 2030
in Utrecht as a year of music, dozens of other projects will be
culminating with the opening of completed within the station area.
TivoliVredenburg on June 21st. www.cu2030.nl
Utrecht Tour de France 2015 10Leidsche Rijn:
biggest expansion site
Leidsche Rijn is the biggest expansion location
of the Netherlands and just 20 minutes’ cycle
ride of Utrecht’s inner city. Up until 2025 31,000
new houses will be developed in Leidsche
Education, innovation,
Rijn, housing 100,000 inhabitants. Unique in
knowledge:
this project is that old and new are combined.
Utrecht Science Park
Archaeological findings, old lanes and ditches,
The perfect match between
trees and monumental farms are embedded in
innovative knowledge and busi
new building plans.
ness. The progress starts when
www.leidscherijn.nl
scientists and entrepreneurs join
forces. With Utrecht University
as best university of the Nether
1
lands, University Medical Centre
Utrecht as one of the biggest
public health facilities in the
country and many innovative
companies and research facili
ties, Utrecht Science park is the
heart of the knowledge based
economy. In 2015 the Princess
Maxima Centre will open its
doors there. This unique top
class institute aims to increase
the survival rate of children with
cancer from 75 to 90 percent.
www.utrechtsciencepark.nl
1
Developments at Leidsche Rijn
from the air
2
Casa Confetti building at the
2
Utrecht Science Park
Utrecht Tour de France 2015 11Flourishing culture
Magical musuems and
flashing festivals
Utrecht is a cultural city of festivals, with festivals in all
shapes and sizes. From progressive performing arts in
one of the green parks to dance festivals on one of the old
market squares. Utrecht celebrates 2013 with the European
Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) and the Treaty of Utrecht.
Utrecht surprises with a wealth of culture and a wide
range of museums. The world’s biggest collection of works
by Rietveld, a unique collection of self-playing musical
instruments, the Royal trains in the Railway Museum,
the world famous Miffy and a lot more.
Dick Bruna House The Rietveld
There is one creation from Schröder House
Utrecht more known world wide The Rietveld Schröder House
than Rietveld’s chair, and that is the masterpiece of Utrecht
is Miffy, the rabbit designed by architect and designer Gerrit 1
Utrechter Dick Bruna in 1955. Rietveld (1888-1964) and an icon
Miffy has grown to become an of the city. This UNESCO World 2
international celebrity, not just Heritage listed monument is the
as a children’s book character, highlight of the art movement
but as a design icon. Since 2006 “De Stijl”, featuring the opening
Miffy and her family have found of closed facades and the colours 1
Miffy
a place to live in the Dick Bruna red, blue and yellow, combined 2
The Rietveld Schröder
House. It offers a unique with white, grey and black. House (the world
overview of the entire works of Every part of the house built in famous chair by Rietveld
Dick Bruna. 1924 tells its own story. is on show in the
www.museautrecht.nl www.museautrecht.nl Centraal Museum)
Utrecht Tour de France 2015 12City of Festivals
It is clear from all the festivals and events that are
held around the year in and near Utrecht, that Utrecht
is a very cultural city. From a day dedicated to listed
monuments to theatre festivals, from music events to
the Netherlands Film Festival. The whole year round
Utrecht is brighten up by all its festivals. And Utrecht
has Cultural Sundays; special Sundays with vibrant
programmes full theatre, dance, music, film and big
and small stages on squares and in parks.
www.bezoek-utrecht.nl/content/evenementen
Museums
Utrecht has a striking array of museums with interesting
exhibitions. There are numerous museums for young
and old in the Utrecht Museum Quarter. The Railway
Museum takes the visitors into the exciting world of rail
ways. Centraal Museum surprises with a rich collection
old, modern and applied art and collections of fashion
and city history. Not to mention the biggest collection of
works by Rietveld in the world. Museum Speelklok comes
to live with cheerful self-playing musical instruments.
www.museautrecht.nl
1
Theatre and dance on a ‘Cultural Sundays’
2
The Speelklok Museum 1 2 3
3
The Centraal Museum
Utrecht Tour de France 2015 13The bike centre stage
Bicycle city Utrecht
Utrecht is a young, dynamic city with a focus on youth and talent.
Utrechters are young, highly educated and sport minded. Utrecht is a
real bike city. Just between 07.00 and 19.00 every day 90,000 cyclists go
to and from the city centre. In the next few years the city will invest
in safer and faster cycling routes and more parking places for bicycles,
including the biggest bicycle storage facility in the world!
With the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, The Utrecht Bicycle champions cycled on Het Lint
the Vecht area and the Couriers in Leidsche Rijn for two days.
Green Heart, Utrecht is located The bike is everywhere in Featuring a road race for girls
in the garden of central the Utrecht; cycling students, for the very first time.
Netherlands. The city is bicycle tourists on waterbikes, gym In May 2010 there were more
minded, not just for recreation. users on their stationary bikes than 500,000 spectators along
Cycling is one of the focus sports to bicycle couriers. The Utrecht the route of the Giro d’Italia
in the city, with the outdoor bicycle couriers have been in the city and province of
cycling centre at Nedereindse delivering post in and around Utrecht. After 210 kilometres
Berg, more than 50 annual Utrecht for nine years; there’s Tyler Farrar came cheering
editions of the Ronde van Midden no faster and more sustainable across the finishing line on
Nederland. The city the beating way of transport. the Croeselaan in the heart of
heart for competitive cyclists. www.defietskoerierutrecht.nl Utrecht. That day nearly 7,000
With the finish of the second cyclist imagined themselves
stage of the Giro d’Italia in professional riders on nearly
May 2010 and cycling as one of International Cycling the same route. Now, nearly
the nine sports of the European Events five years later still thousands
Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) During the European Youth of people join in the annual
a climate is created for profes Olympic Festival (EYOF) Utrecht Classico Giro Utrecht.
sional cycling. 2013 the future Olympic www.classicogiroutrecht.nl
Utrecht Tour de France 2015 14Durf: the Utrecht bicycle Facts
factory z In the next few years
The De Utrechtse Rijwiel there will be 33,000 new
Frabriek (DURF) is a bicycle places to park your bike
factory where young people learn in Utrecht, two thirds
by doing. A craftsman explains of which will be directly
to his apprentices how to make next to the new station.
the unique design city bicycles
z Utrecht experiments
‘vanMOOF’. At the end of the
with smarter traffic lights:
learning period the student is
the waiting time at the
assisted in finding a job. A unique
Lucas Bridge was reduced
work-study programme with
from 35 to 21 seconds.
as a result cool city bikes you
see across the urban landscape. z The Utrecht Festival Lief
has bikes for its visitors to
www.durfutrecht.nl
borrow: cycling together,
Oldest ‘bicycle path’ dancing together, sharing
of the Netherlands together.
Utrecht has the oldest ‘bicycle z To promote the green
1
path’ of the Netherlands. In recreational areas in and
September 1885 the pedestrian around the city, routes
path on the Maliebaan in 2 from the centre are
Utrecht was opened on Sunday marked with special green
afternoons for bicycles and so bicycle signs.
became an actual bicycle path. z Around the Central Station
all bikes will get covered
storage places. With room
for 12,500 bikes, it will be
the biggest bicycle parking
facility in the world.
1
Bike parking places at
Neude Square
2
Maliebaan: the oldest cycling
path in the Netherlands
Utrecht Tour de France 2015 15FACTS & FIGURES
Utrecht in the global press
la “Hollands schonste
“Utrecht un icono de
Grachtenstadt”
cultura europea” t
1) Berliner Morgenpos
Credomatic (02/201
(07/2011)
festive
“Utrecht est une ville tion
ante” “The perfect destina
et terriblement attach ”
for a green citybreak
Le Figaro (05/2011) cht
Green Guide to Utre
(05/2011)
“A city with strong
medieval roots” five
011) Utrecht as one of the
Chicago Splash (06/2 e”
“happies place to liv
BBC Travel (10 /2 01 3)
“Utrecht capital de la
ud”
cultura y de la juvent
“10 of the world’s
El Viajero (11/2011)
unsung places”
3)
Lonely Planet (02/201
“One of the oldest
and liveliest cities
“Utrecht is the
in the Netherlands.”
1) new Amsterdam”
Reisreporter (04/201
CNN Travel (09/2013)
y,
“Small scaled, friendl
of hi sto ry.”
clean and full
sblad
AD Utrechts Nieuw
(04/2011)
Utrecht Tour de France 2015 16facts & figures
Facts
Utrecht has around 322,000 inhabitants
with 163 different nationalities, making it
the fourth city of the Netherlands.
A Utrecht delicacy is the ‘Domtorentje’;
dark chocolate filled with a lovely creamy
chocolate mouse.
With more than 300 sports clubs Utrecht
has the highest sports participation figures
in the big cities of the Netherlands
At Utrecht Central Station the
biggest bicycle storage is to be built
with 12,500 places
Famous Utrechters
q Football player
Wesley Sneijder
q The only Dutch pope ever (Rome, 1522)
Adriaan Florenszoon Boeyens
q Olympic judo champion
Anton Geesink (1964-2010)
q Football player, coach and trainer
Marco van Basten
q Illustrator and writer
Dick Bruna
q Actrice
Sylvia Kristel (1952 - 2012)
Utrecht Tour de France 2015 17Dutch cycling heroes
YOUNG DUTCH
CYCLING TALENTS
“Starting in the
Netherlands is something
really special. My first
big cycling race, the
Giro d’Italia, started in
Amsterdam and finished “I look forward to starting
in Utrecht, which the world’s biggest
was a great experience. cycling race in my own
Hopefully, we can country and native
make the first days into region. It’s a childhood
a great spectacle.” dream coming true.”
Bauke Mollema. Wilco Kelderman.
Utrecht Tour de France 2015 18“For me the Grand Depart “The Tour de France is
in Utrecht will be a special the biggest cycling event in
motivation. It’s an honour the world. We missed the
to have the start of the Tour start with our team
most popular sports in the Netherlands in 2010,
event in the Netherlands. but it would be a dream
I remember the impact to be part of the start in
it had in 2010. It is good Utrecht, as it is always
for the development of a special feeling to start a
cycling in the Netherlands, race in your own country.
as everyone gets excited Utrecht is a beautiful city,
and comes in closer contact with great surroundings
with the sport. I hope it and lots to offer, and
also inspires more children I am sure they will give
in the Netherlands to take the riders and cycling fans
up cycling.” a great time”
Tom Dumoulin. Tom Veelers.
Utrecht Tour de France 2015 19How to reach Utrecht?
Location and
accessibility
Utrecht is located right in the middle of the Netherlands.
It’s a hub of national roads, railways and waterways.
This makes Utrecht the perfect base for a visit to the
Netherlands and its other cities.
By air connecting the inner city with
Flights leave for Amsterdam the station and accommodating a
Schiphol Airport from over 318 growing number of passengers.
global locations. There is a direct
30 minute train connection from By car
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Utrecht is 40 kilometres from
the centre of Utrecht. |the capital city of Amsterdam,
125 kilometres from Antwerp
By train and 175 from Brussels. Utrecht is
Utrecht Central Station is a surrounded by three of the big
national hub with trains from gest motorways, making it easily
all corners of the Netherlands, |accessible from every direction.
arriving nearly every minute.
Amsterdam and Schiphol Aiport Within Utrecht
are both thirty minutes by train; Utrecht has a modern and efficient
Rotterdam and The Hague public transport system. The short
45 minutes. There are daily inter distances mean it is also very easy
national trains leaving to Brussels to discover by foot. By far the best
(2 hours), Cologne (2,5 hours) and way to go from A to B in Utrecht is
Paris (3,5 hours). Construction is by bike. There are several locations
in full swing at the moment on as well as hotels that rent bikes, so
a new public transport terminal, you can discover Utrecht like a local.
Utrecht Tour de France 2015 20hull
leeds
Norwich
amsterdam
(schiphol)
cambridge
utrecht
harwich rotterdam
london
zeebrugge antwerp
dover
Dunkirk
calais Cologne
Brussels
lille
Paris
Utrecht Tour de France 2015 21City of Utrecht
Contact Person: Femke van der Meij
TourdeFrance@utrecht.nl
+31 (0)30 2862818
www.tourdefranceutrecht.com
LeTourUtrecht
@LeTourUtrecht
#TDFutrecht
See you in
© Gemeente Utrecht, november 2013
Concept and text Gemeente Utrecht in cooperation with Tourism Utrecht
Photography EYOF Utrecht 2013, Jelmer de Haas, Shutterstock,
Utrecht!
Tourism Utrecht, Gemeente Utrecht
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