This Saturday at 2 PM, the Grand Departure of this 2020 edition will take place at Place Massena for the second time in history after 1981. That year, Bernard Hinault won the inaugural prologue and secured his 3rd Tour de France victory.
On the schedule for the day, a 156-kilometer stage with three loops in the hinterland of Nice: two loops from Nice to Aspremont and a third, longer one, that will take the riders up to Levens in the heights. The riders will encounter an intermediate sprint during their first arrival at the line on the Promenade des Anglais at kilometer 88, and a double ascent of the Côte de Rimiez (3rd category) at kilometers 49 and 97. According to Christian Prudhomme, the first stage in Nice should result in a massive sprint finish. “These three loops will allow spectators to see the peloton in action throughout the day (note: except for the start and finish areas) before likely witnessing the first act of the great sprint battle. This should come at the end of a final rush that will conclude on the Promenade des Anglais.”
Stage favorites:
* Sam Bennett (IRL/Deceuninck-Quick Step); Caleb Ewan (AUS/Lotto-Soudal)
Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA/NTT Pro Cycling); Peter Sagan (SVK/Bora-Hansgrohe); Wout Van Aert (BEL/Jumbo-Visma)
* Alexander Kristoff (NOR/UAE-Emirates); Bryan Coquard (FRA/B&B Hotels-Vital Concept).
