Allo, Allo, Allo. Qu'est-ce que nous avons ici, alors?

The Grand Depart of the 2014 Tour de France in Yorkshire will be safeguarded by the special race escort services of the Gendarmerie who will arrive en-masse in God's Own Country ahead of the stages starting from Leeds and York.

The contingent from the Garde Republicaine have an illustrious history having been founded in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte and in their modern role acting as custodians of the Elysee Palace and with responsibility for dignatories both domestic and foreign. Based in the French capital their uniform carries the Parisian coat of arms. One important difference from their duties on the continent will be the absence of their sidearm weapons which, under UK jurisdiction, have had to be left at the border.

They will be working alongside the huge team of the home-based organisation and liaising with police and attendant services as well as the 10,000 plus Tour Maker Volunteers who have been trained up to act on and off the route on the two stages of the race taking in the beautiful but challenging  Yorkshire scenery.

The Gendarmerie, likely to consist of two command vehicles and upwards of forty motorcycles will be a very visible presence on the race forming a protective cocoon around the convoy of 440 vehicles and the peleton of the best major Tour riders of their generation.

Their essential role is to scrutinise the route on a live action basis being alert to any intrusions on the closed roads and check off the already well documented and extremely detailed schedule of everyday road obstacles and street furnishings from traffic islands to speed bumps, crossing points, any surviving potholes and the whole range of signage, lamp posts and barriers that can be found on a typical English carriageway.

There can also be a potential risk from those attempting to enter the race route from their private house driveways although given the publicity and level of awareness surrounding the prestigious event as it passes through Yorkshire the number of those oblivious to something going on should be minimal.

In many previous Tours de France the Gendarmes have also been on foot acting as flag and route marshalls at key points. They have been an integral part of the Tour for many years home and abroad and will add further character to the race on English soil.