The Tour de France left Nice after a weekend of competition that was a sporting success (two great races, one in the rain, the other in glorious sunshine) and a popular success (many spectators along the routes and at the finish… as for mask-wearing and social distancing, that’s a discussion for another time).
The organization of the event ran like clockwork, everything went well, and one can only regret that the virus lessened what could have been an even more remarkable success.
The financial investment was significant (we’re talking about 5.5 million euros between payment to the organizing company and the incurred expenses), but the economic return was limited.
What remains is the return in terms of notoriety, with images of the Tour de France being broadcast around the… world, although one might argue that it’s hard to believe Nice, on the verge of being recognized as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, needs the Tour de France to be known!!!
