The city of Saitama will host a cycling event under the name of Tour de France on Oct. 26 to mark the 100th anniversary of the prestigious race.
Saitama Mayor Hayato Shimizu and Jean-Etienne Amaury, president of the firm that organizes the race, signed an accord to hold the "Saitama Criterium by Tour de France," the city said Monday.
About 50 cyclists are expected to participate in the Saitama event employing the "criterium" format — circling a 3-km course 10 to 15 times around the new urban center district of the city.
Shimizu flew to France to watch the Tour de France last July.