Corsican Grand Depart to be followed by two stages on Cote d’Azur

Details of the 2013 Tour de France continue to be revealed, with race organisers ASO confirming rumours today that Nice will host the fourth stage of that year’s race.



Returning to the area after being there in 2009, the riders will compete in a team time trial which will conclude on the famous Promenade des Anglais. The distance of the test has not been detailed as yet, with that plus the specific course to be revealed at a later date.



Stage five of the race will also be in the area, with the nearby village of Cagnes-sur-Mer hosting the start. There are unconfirmed rumours that the stage could conclude on one of the region, but it’s too soon to say if that will be the case. If so, it would continue what looks to be a very decisive start to the event.



The first three days will take place on the island of Corsica, which will host the Tour for the first time in its 100 year history.



Stage one on Saturday June 29th is a 200 kilometre race from Porto-Vecchio to Bastia, via the southern port of Bonifacio. Flat and fast, it looks set for a big bunch finish.



Days two and three look considerably harder; the first of those is 155 kilometres in length and will begin in the Place Saint Nicolas in Bastia. It heads inland on small, twisting roads to tackle the Cols de Bellagranajo (723 m), de la Serra (807 m) and de Vizzavona (1,163 m), then crests the steep Monte Salario ten kilometres from the finish in Ajaccio.



Stage three is ten kilometres shorter and this plus the undulating terrain makes for an aggressive day in the saddle. It begins in Ajaccio’s Place Moit, travels up the west of the island to the Cols de San Bastiano (415 m), de Lava (498 m), de Palmarella (374 m) and de Marsolino (443 m), giving opportunity for strong riders to shake things up before the finish in Calvi.



After that the teams, race staff, journalists and many of the spectators will transfer to mainland France prior to the start of the team time trial.



Although Nice is one of the most well known destinations in France, its location in the south east plus other factors have meant that it has only hosted the race 35 times in all. However it is the area where ASO’s early-season flagship event Paris-Nice concludes, and so has a very strong link to the sport.



It appears the organisers are building what could be a very memorable race. “All of this will only be the beginning of the fun in the 100th edition,” ASO promises, whetting appetites for what other details will emerge in time.





Tour de France 2013 schedule (confirmed details):



Wednesday 26th June: opening of the race headquarters and the press centre, set up on a ship ferry. The ferry will be moored in the port of Porto-Vecchio and will follow the progress of the race every day.

Thursday 27th June: presentation of the teams of the 2013 Tour de France in Porto-Vecchio.



Saturday 29th June: first stage, Porto-Vecchio to Bastia (200km)

Sunday 30th June: second stage, Bastia to Ajaccio (155km)

Monday 1st July: third stage, Ajaccio to Calvi (145km)

Tuesday 2nd July: fourth stage, Nice team time trial (distance/route unconfirmed)

Wednesday 3rd July: fifth stage, starts in Cagnes sur Mer (finish unknown)