For all those South Africans tracking Robbie Hunter and Barloworld’s progress at the Tour de France this year – Google has come to the party in an effort to make the Tour even more interactive.

In what has to be described as exquisite marketing timing, Google Maps has released their first batch of European Streetview imagery capturing this year’s Tour de France route.

Simply go to Google Maps (maps.google.com) and type ‘France’ in the search box.

Like with all Streetview maps, you are can get an interactive glimps of every inch of the route by clicking on a part of the map marked in blue. Give it a go.

I have to say that although Google brags about some new features, I’m still quite disappointed at the quality of their imagery.

One would think that with their resources they could afford some better technology to capture the images. Companies like www.everyscape.com and our friends from www.panedia.com have smaller budgets and better images.

I know for a fact that Google is busy capturing similar content for South Africa and I hope they take some pictures that can do us proud…… (or phone some people who know about taking such pictures – nudge nudge wink wink)

In the mean time – Go Robbie Go!!!!

Click here to view the Champs-Elysees

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