For the primary time since 1905, the Tour de France will not make its ordinary finish in Paris in 2024, closing as an alternative with a time trial in Nice, organisers introduced on Thursday.
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Although the race has been introduced ahead one week to keep away from clashing instantly with the Olympic Games, that are being hosted in 2024 by Paris, it should nonetheless finish on July 21, simply 5 days earlier than the opening ceremony.
Hence the choice to maneuver the finish to Nice on the Mediterranean coast. The metropolis has hosted the Tour 37 instances beforehand with two begins, in 1981 and 2020.
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“Nice is a city that shines. It’s known around the world,” Tour director Christian Prudhomme advised AFP
“There is the beauty of the setting and the mountains nearby. The city offers an exceptional setting and a great course.”
Tour de France time-trial ended 1989 race
As with Paris, Nice can be has iconic avenues, with the race more likely to culminate on the Promenade des Anglais.
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The race may even conclude with a probably decisive particular person time-trial as an alternative of the standard dash finish over eight laps of the Champs-Elysees.
A final-day time-trial produced a breath-taking finale in 1989 when American Greg Lemond took the general chief’s yellow jersey from surprised Frenchman Laurent Fignon, successful the Tour by simply eight seconds.
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The 2024 version begins in Florence with three days in Italy anticipated, however as but no route particulars have been confirmed.
Prudhomme was cagey concerning the 2024 time-trial size suggesting it might not be brief.
“It would be a shame if the time-trial was completely flat too,” Prudhomme mentioned, suggesting the hills surrounding Nice may present a dramatic backdrop to the finale.
The first two Tour de France races in 1903 and 1904 concluded in Ville d’Avray, simply outdoors Paris, however each version since 1905 has ended within the capital.
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Since 1975, that has meant a grand showpiece alongside the Champs-Elysees.
The race is already slated to return there in 2025.
“We will be delighted to return to Paris and the Champs-Elysees for the 50th anniversary of the first arrival on the Champs in 2025,” mentioned Prudhomme.
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
