D-Day remembered as Tour de France kicks off in Normandy (The Associated Press)

The D-Day and World War II history that is embedded in the culture of Normandy is earning extra spotlight this weekend when the Tour de France opens with two stages in the region. The first stage also passes through Sainte-Mere-Eglise, where American paratrooper John Steele dangled from a clock tower after his parachute got caught during the invasion, and survived. Tejay van Garderen, the BMC rider who represents the United States’ best hope for overall victory in the Tour, was wide eyed as he took a look around this week.