The Mayor and Deputy of Nice, Christian Estrosi, and the President of ASO, Christian Prudhomme, officially launched “Nice Celebrates the Tour” this Sunday. For four days, from June 29 to July 2, the city will live to the rhythm of the Tour de France.
To kick off the “Nice Celebrates the Tour” operation, the city pulled out all the stops. At the Villa Masséna, about a hundred curious visitors and several journalists gathered to attend the presentation of “Nice Celebrates the Tour.” The date was well chosen, coinciding with the Paris-Nice time trial from the heights of Col d’Éze, won by Australian Richie Porte.
Surrounding the two men were the former race commissioner Jean-François Pêcheux and the former five-time winner of the Tour, Bernard Hinault (78, 79, 81, 82, and 85). Christian Estrosi is happy to host this stage of the Tour de France in his city. A 25 km team time trial and the start of the 5th stage between Cagnes-sur-Mer and Marseille.
The elected official also reflects on the city’s cycling past. Another Christian, Prudhomme, also comments on this special link between cycling and the Azurean city: “René Pottier climbed the Ballon d’Alsace in 1905, the first real challenge in the history of the Tour de France.” The head of the Tour also presented future events for “Nice Celebrates the Tour.”
40 stalls with the many partners of the Tour de France, including the most loyal, LCL (Le Crédit Lyonnais), the TV shows “Village Départ” and “L’Après-Tour” with Laurent Luyat and Gérard Holtz. After the arrival of the participants of the first “Tour de Nice Métropole,” the city will organize activities, exhibitions, and other shows for the 4 days leading up to the stage.
An open space available to everyone set up on the Promenade des Anglais with entertainment, games, and exhibitions for all ages. On June 30, an amateur time trial on the same course as the professionals with a start on the Tour ramp. Only 2,500 bibs will be distributed for the occasion. A mountain biking show on Place Masséna will delight the curious. On Monday, July 1, Place Gautier will host a play by Gérard Holtz as well as a Heart Surgery Sponsorship operation.
On the big day, a fireworks display will be launched before the major event of the 25 km team time trial with a loop along the Promenade des Anglais. Christian Prudhomme also recalls the release of the film “La Grande Boucle” with Clovis Cornillac on June 12. It’s the story of a man who decides to do the Tour de France a day ahead of the professionals and challenges the Yellow Jersey. But that’s not all, an exhibition of former racers’ bicycles and photos in the Senate premises adds to the myriad of events happening across France during these three weeks of competition.
