Thousands expected in Wicklow Gap for stage 1 highlight on Sunday

Retailers are bracing themselves for a rush on baguettes, burgers and barbecue sauce today as Tour de France fever begins to take hold.

Thousands of people are expected in the Wicklow Gap on Sunday for one of the highlights of Stage 1. Special picnic areas, campsites and portaloos have been set up to facilitate spectators.

"It will all depend on the weather," said a spokesman for Tesco. "If it remains dry we'd expect a high level of interest in barbecues, meats, chickens and steaks. We would also expect a high degree of picnicking. However, the forecast at the moment isn't great. It's wind and rain."

That hasn't deterred dozens of hearty campers, however, who have already moved into the Wicklow area, booking prime viewing locations along the route.

"We've already had a few people in buying ice-boxes and picnic boxes who are hoping to go to Wicklow on Sunday," said Mr Jerry Collins, manager of Great Outdoors in Dublin. "I think people are planning to travel pretty light. I wouldn't fancy having to carry a five-kilo bag of charcoal and a few steaks up the side of a mountain."

Mr Tom Ray, general manager of Clery's, agreed that light rain coats and umbrellas may turn out to be the biggest selling products of the Tour. "At the moment we haven't seen a run on anything, not even French flags or yellow jerseys."

Ms Valerie Cox, Wicklow County Council's Tour press officer, advised people to come early and bring plenty to eat and entertain themselves while they wait for the peloton to arrive. "I met two women who told me they were going to do their knitting at the side of the road. Others are planning to run a card school," she said.

Each car will be charged £5 to park in the Wicklow Gap area. Free shuttle buses will run from Glendalough. Dart trains will run into Bray every 15 minutes from 8 a.m. A special bus will leave Busaras for the Wicklow Gap at 7.30 a.m.