100th Tour de France in Nice
The Tour de France, a Giant on the Promenade des Anglais in 2013
On December 15th, Christian Estrosi, Deputy-Mayor of Nice, President of Nice Côte d’Azur, welcomed Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France in company of Louis Nègre, Senator-Mayor of Cagnes Sur Mer, for the presentation of the 2013 edition of the Tour de France. The 2013 edition will be the 100th of the world most famous cycling race, whose departure will take place in Corsica. The second stage will depart from Nice Promenade des Anglais for a team time trial. The third stage will start from nearby city of Cagnes sur Mer (likely in front of the Hippodrome). Thus, as the Tour de France logistics will installed in Nice, there will be some four days in all of cycling celebrations.
Mr Christian Estrosi said: " Nice has been part of a great cycling tradition for many years. What better proof of this than Paris-Nice race – the ‘Course au Soleil’ (Sun Race) due to celebrate its 70 th anniversary in the month of March. As both the Mayor of Nice and a serious cycling enthusiast, it is therefore with great honour and pride that I welcome the Tour de France in 2013 to celebrate the 100th edition of the world’s greatest cycling race, a legendary event that has done so much for French sporting glory. This exceptional setting in the heart of the Riviera between the sea and mountains, the ideal backdrop for the exploits of the «petite reine» (or «little queen» as we French like to call the bicycle) and the work of the Amaury Sport Organization, will perfectly capture the spirit of the tour. As we welcome the cyclists onto the Promenade des Anglais, armed with our expertise in hosting major international sporting events, everything will be in place to make the 2013 ‘Grand Boucle’ an event which will linger long in the hearts and minds of all concerned."
Christian Prudhomme, said the Tour de France was a "Giant", born with the written press, popularized by the radio and magnified by the television. He declared: " It is rare to officially announce the stage that immediately follows on the Grand Depart 18 months before the start of the Tour. But seeing as though the Grand Depart is particularly special in 2013, beginning in Corsica, we’ve decided to make another exclusive announcement. It is clear to us that Nice is the ideal place for the Tour to arrive on the Mainland. For the 100th edition of the great race, the capital of the Côte d’Azur has all that the Tour de France could hope for: prestige, international recognition, natural beauty, bags of experience in organizing major events and a strong and undeniable link with cycling. Nice is a town of many cycling memories. In 1981 Bernard Hinault set the Tour alight in the city. The current world champion swopped his rainbow jersey for the yellow jersey right after the prologue. Since this moment in Nice, no rider has been able to repeat this performance." Christian Prudhomme added that, besides Christian Estrosi's strong will to have the Tour come in Nice, his commitment to "friendly transport" in setting up the "Vélos bleus" (Blue Bikes) initiative in Nice has largely counted in the organizers' choice of the city. Pictures were then taken with cycling champions and on the Promenade des Anglais on "Velos Bleus".
Christian Prudhomme
Director of the Tour de France
Christian Estrosi
Deputy-Mayor of Nice
President of Nice Côte d’Azur
Louis Nègre,
Senator-Mayor of Cagnes Sur Mer
