London wants another Tour de France visit

The Tour de France's visit to London in 2007 was so successful that London is applying for a return of the famous stage race to coincide with the Olympic Games in 2012.

Officials for the Transport for London, who coordinated the Tour's visit to London, claimed one million people filled the streets on July 7 to watch the prologue according to inthenews.co.uk. They also claimed two million people watched the July 8th stage one.

Reportedly the Tour's visit in July brought over 100 million pounds into the economy. Another visit would bring still more attention and future sporting events to the area.

"Bringing the Tour de France to London has been hugely successful, boosting cycling and showing Londoners' huge interest in watching and participating in sport that is growing as we approach the 2012 Games," said London Mayor Ken Livingstone.

The Transport organization also sited an 11 percent increase in bike use in London relative to the previous year.