Tour de France to start off in Corsica

The people of Corsica are proud of their island even more so now as the 100^th Tour de France will start off from this magnificent island June 29.  They’ve been preparing for this for two years, now they are gripped by Tour de France fever, delighted, excited and anxiously  getting ready for the thousands of fans, cycling delegations and hundreds of media that will flock the island until Monday July 3.

 This is the very first time that the Tour de France will visit Corsica, great for the economy and a superb boost for tourism, all good for hoteliers and restaurateurs who will  provide accommodation.

 From Porto Vecchio to Bastia

Sprinters will head out from Porto Vecchio to cover the first 212 kilometers. This is  Corsica’s third largest city with its sheltered beaches and old town surrounded by ramparts. They will head to the southern tip of the island to the outskirts of Bonifacio; up again towards Porto Vecchio then take to  the eastern coast , a fairly flat road up to Bastia.

 Bastia to Ajaccio

Things will become difficult after Corté once the old capital of old Corsica. This is a mountainous and rugged region where the most difficult stages will be the Vizzavona pass (1,163 meters) and the steep slope of Mount Salario about 12 kilometers from the finish line. The 165 kilometer run takes place on Sunday the second day.

 Ajaccio to Calvi

 The third leg of the race will be the shortest covering 145 kms from Ajaccio to Calvi but probably the most beautiful. Sprinters will leave the Imperial city, Napoleon’s birthplace; they will travel north along the winding western roads past the sumptuous, Unesco- listed calanques of Piana -- those majestic overwhelming red rocks are  one of the most beautiful sites of Corsica.

As usual Le Tour de France with its mountainous and challenging routes will push professional bikers to the maximum but what a joy for cycling fans – the world’s most prestigious  three week bike race  is about to start.

 



Citadel of historic Corté  -- one of the many sights on the second day