Google has unveiled a feature on Google Maps that it says allows the viewer to follow the Yellow Jersey and Tour de France route, providing street-level imagery of the historic cycle challenge.
All 21 stages are marked on the map, taking the viewer on a 3 500km trip from Brittany, around Alpe d'Huez, to the finish line at the Champs Elysees.
Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme says: "This is a new way for Tour de France fans to immerse themselves in the race, discovering the podiums where the winners will stand, or finding a city or route where the peloton will pass. I am sure the tour's audience will make use of this surprising feature."
Google Maps product manager Ioannis Kalafatis says Google is excited to be participating in such a great sporting event, and to make the Tour de France the first to use its Street View Imagery in Europe.
He says this feature allows users to view and navigate within 360-degree street-level imagery.
The Tour de France 2008 began on 5 July and will run until 27 July.
The map is available at www.google.com/tourdefrance2008, and Street View can be viewed at http://maps.google.fr/help/maps/streetview/.
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