Historian laments lack of fanfare over bicycle's birth

DOMAZAN, France - For the next month, the eyes of the sporting world will be on the Tour de France, yet few people know what a significant year this is for the bicycle.

Much to the chagrin of amateur historian Claude Reynaud, the 200th anniversary of the invention of the bicycle is likely to pass by with little pomp or fanfare as millions of pairs of eyes gaze at television screens or from the roadside to watch Chris Froome and his rivals battle for yellow jersey glory.

And yet, the 104th edition of the world's most prestigious cycle race starts in Dusseldorf on Saturday, in the country where 200 years ago Baron Karl Drais invented the bicycle.