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For American Tour de France teammates Tejay van Garderen and Brent Bookwalter, there is no event bigger in their professional careers than the Tour de France that began on Saturday.But as they rode around the once war-stricken region of Normandy that hosted the Tours start in the days preceding Stage 1, they were reminded of where the race really stands for relevance in the big picture of the world that they - and all of us - live in today.The 27-year-old van Garderen has not downplayed his ambition: to one day win the Tour, if not this year, after two fifth-place finishes. Meanwhile, for Bookwalter, 32, his goal is to help his fellow American win the Tour, if not for their BMC teams Australian co-leader with van Garderen, Richie Porte.But this week, they were struck by the meaning behind the 188-kilometre opening stage finishing at Utah Beach -- one of the key landing sites for the D-Day invasion of June 6, 1944 in World War II that led to the liberation of north-western Europe from German occupation and finally victory in the war.We got a glimpse of it [on Thursday] and it was a really powerful sight, van Garderen said of Utah Beach on Friday. It really puts it into perspective, what we are doing here. We always say that we are soldiers going to war and then you see the real soldiers and we are, OK, maybe this is just bike racing. So you know, we will just try to have a little bit of fun; but I think its a beautiful place to start with the historical significance of this area.Bookwalter, who is riding in his fourth Tour, said he was taken back by the emotion.There is a lot of emotion and feeling. To be honest, I probably under-anticipated it a little bit coming here, Bookwalter told ESPN. I had never been to this little corner of the world, to these beaches. I am familiar with the history, but hadnt really seen it and soaked in the atmosphere.The past couple of days after being here -- seeing the atmosphere, seeing the topography - even seeing the grey kind of bleak weather that we are dealing with right now, he added. For us, it is hard to put into words. It is definitely a powerful place and a powerful memory. Its nice to be here so many years down the road, showcasing the Tour, which is freedom. It is sport and it is opportunity and all those things that were worth fighting for then.For most of Saturday, van Garderen and Bookwalter had to put their emotions in check during the Tours opening stage that was won in a bunch sprint by Great Britains Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data). Cavendish beat German Marcel Kittel (Etixx-QuickStep) and Slovakian world champion Peter Sagan (Tinkoff), and also claimed the yellow jersey as race leader.The wind-stricken stage was a torrid and fast affair marred by several crashes. One crash with 78km to go included Bookwalter, who finished the stage with cycling kit torn, and one of the Tour contenders, two-time winner Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) of Spain. Contador was also able to finish, while in pain without broken bones.But no sooner had the stage finished, the minds of van Garderen and Bookwalter were refocused on the suffering of World War II and the landing at Utah Beach.They were invited with Cavendish, Briton Stephen Cummings (Dimension Data), Canadian Antoine Duchesne (Direct Energie), Frenchmen Arthur Vichot (FDJ) and Thomas Voeckler (Direct Energie), and Germans Andre Greipel (Lotto-Soudal) and John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin) to a commemorative D-Day ceremony after the days podium ceremony.The Tour resumes Sunday for Stage 2 - 183 kilometres from Saint Lo to Cherbourg.Whatever happens from here, the Tour will have shown once more that it is an event that will never forget its history, and recognise those who sacrificed so much in France and those who helped liberate the country. Rest assured that respect is reciprocal.As Jim Ochowicz, an American and president of the BMC team, said: Our fathers generation were the men and women who fought those battles, and gave their lives for our country. We have been in these [war] sites [during the Tour] throughout the years - Omaha Beach, Utah Beach. We are very proud of what they did and certainly are here with that in mind. Hydro Flask Deals Online Uk . The recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug. Cheap Hydro Flask With Straw Sale . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career. http://www.wholesalehydroflaskuk.com/ . -- Arizona knocked off some quality opponents, rolled over a few overmatched ones and grinded out victories even when things didnt go so well. Hydro Flask Sale Near Me . The Brazilian goalkeeper signed a loan deal with the Major League Soccer club on Friday as he looks to get playing time ahead of this summers World Cup in his home country. Hydro Flask Uk . PETERSBURG, Fla. CLEVELAND -- David Ortiz is heading into retirement with some more hardware.The Boston Red Sox slugger captured the Hank Aaron Award on Wednesday as the top hitter in the American League this season.Budding Chicago Cubs star Kris Bryant was honored as the top hitter in the National League.The award was presented before Game 2 of the World Series between the Cubs and?Cleveland Indians. It was determined through a combination of fan voting and a panel that includes Aaron and other Hall of Fame players.The 40-year-old Ortiz hit .315, with 38 home runs, 127 RBIs and 48 doubles, in the 20th and final season of his major league career. His 541 career home runs rank 17th all time.The 24-year-old Bryant hit .292, with 39 home runs and 102 RBIs, while helpping the Cubs cruise to the NL Central title and eventually a spot in the World Series.dddddddddddd Shortly after being honored, Bryant singled in the first inning for his first World Series hit.To win that award and have that particular man present it to you, its impressive, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Bryants accomplishment. At a young age, to be considered, then win it -- its not unlike Addison Russell going to the?All-Star Game. Winning an award like this can absolutely galvanize his thoughts about himself as a baseball player.Information from The Associated Pr