Norfolk man names baby after the founder of the Tour de France

A Norfolk man has demonstrated his passion for the greatest cycling race on earth - by naming his baby after the Tour de France founder, Henri Desgrange.

Pete Martin, who is staging his second exhibition all about the Tour, featuring his own private memorabilia, at Marsham Village Hall over the weekend of 22 and 23rd June 2013, says that he suffers from 'Tour fever' and loves to travel to watch the race.

Mr Martin told the Eastern Daily Press that when he saw his first race in 1998: “I was overwhelmed. It’s not just a cycle race, it’s a carnival and a festival. You can just suck up the atmosphere in a town or village for hours before anything happens. It’s loud, exciting and colourful. You get what’s called ‘Tour fever’ - and I’ve got it."

Little Henri was born as the Tour of Britain passed through Norfolk in 2011 - causing Mr Martin to miss the race, which he said was 'annoying'.

Young Henri's Tour connections don't end with his name, he shares his September 18 birthday with the disgraced Lance Armstrong, who was found to have cheated and was last year stripped of his seven Tour de France victories.