The world’s premier cyclists aren’t the only ones with wheels turning during this year’s Tour de France; Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter has just voyaged overseas to not only view the cycling spectacle but also check out the public bike sharing system, meet with officials about potentially bringing a 2015 Women’s World Cup cycling event to Philly and, importantly, connect with the CEO who helped place a new North American headquarters in Malvern for building materials giant Saint-Gobain.

“We have experienced huge growth in the number of young, educated people who want to live and work in our city, and that is driving more businesses to move to Philadelphia to access that talent,” Nutter said in a Bicycle Retailer article.

“I welcome foreign investment and interest in our great city, and I look forward to strengthening Philadelphia’s ties with cities and businesses in France.”

He’s meeting company CEO Pierre-André de Chalendar to “reinforce Saint-Gobain’s strong ties with Pennsylvania,” the article noted.

Read more about the trip and Saint-Gobain’s presence in the state in Bicycle Retailer here and a press release issued by Mayor Nutter’s office and posted to Saint-Gobain’s US web site here.

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Top photo courtesy of buildingourfuturetogether.com.