It was the hottest day of the year so far this Monday in Netherlands, and the temperatures only increased thanks to the enthusiastic screams from the supporters of the Tour de France Femmes, which kicked off that day in Westland area, Netherlands, meaning the athletes cycled right through the greenhouse area. With a worldwide audience watching, growers made great efforts to show off their products during the event.
Various horticultural companies along the route organized festivities, and many of them strategically positioned trucks and company cars to seize the opportunity to present themselves to the world.
Our Dutch editor hopped on his bike and visited several companies. Click here for the photo report.
The cyclists pass the greenhouses of Piet Vijverberg. They had a great day at this nursery with a lot of sales in France. France is one of the most important sales markets for the Star Quality By5 Phalaenopsis. For nursery Piet Vijverberg this made it extra special that the Tour de France Femmes passed by.
Plantenkwekerij Van Os showcasing their yellow pot chrysanthemum. Click here to see the photo report of the event.
At times, the roads were closed for a while for the cycling race to pass. Yet, this challenge could be solved with some last-minute flexibility. It helped that the race only took place in the afternoon. Moreover, in many greenhouses, the work was already finished at that time because it was scorching hot.
Watching the Tour at Jongfresh. Click here to see the photo report of the event.
The charm of greenhouse horticulture
With about 40 kilometers to go, the first greenhouses came into view. To highlight the greenhouses, the first helicopter shot of the glass city was marked with the word 'Serres'.
During the TV broadcast by Dutch broadcaster NOS, they wondered what people abroad may think about all those greenhouses. NOS co-commentator Roxane Knetemann was curious to know the answer.
According to Roxane, some people may find it beautiful among which cyclist Demi Vollering. Her father was in greenhouse horticulture, and she always talks about it with great pride. However, the co-commentator can also imagine that people don't like them. Live on TV, Roxane suggests that in that case, they should listen to Vollering because then you can hardly do anything but find it very beautiful. "You can think whatever you want to think about it, but it has its charm. Nowhere in the world is it like what we just saw from above," states Roxane.
Kees Stijger leading the Westland Caravan. Click here to see the photo report of the event.
Westland caravan
Before the cyclist arrived in the greenhouse area, the Westland caravan had already ridden ahead to entertain the large crowd. Yellow tomato grower Kees Stijger led the caravan which rode the Westland part of the route.
Along this route we saw bicycles depicted by means of sunflowers (at Evanthia) and yellow tomatoes (at grower Kees Stijger), and also a large flower mosaic. They all appeared on TV, but not everyone was lucky. For instance, the message from a growing looking for a wife could not be read on TV. And Koppert Cress' message to change the way we look at food was actually only readable for those who already knew what was written. Never mind, it was a way to show off the Westland area to an international public, and there was a party along the route.
The cyclist on the Van Elswijkbaan. Did they notice the banner?
Click here to see the photo report of the event.
The Westland Caravan entertaining the public