June 27th, 12:00 PM.
Piazza Michelangelo, Florence, Italy.
A stage dominated by the Tour de France's signature lemon-yellow color scheme had been erected several days prior and was officially in use today.
Below the stage, countless road cycling fans from Italy and around the world had gathered to watch.
The reason so many fans were here today was that this year's Tour de France was different. For the first time ever, it would start in Florence, Italy, with the first three stages all taking place on Italian soil.
Not until the fourth stage would the race travel from Pinerolo, Italy, to the Valloire ski resort in the Savoie Province of the French Alps, officially returning to French territory.
As the starting city, Florence was also responsible for hosting all the team presentation ceremonies for this year's Tour de France, held two days before the race.
