The people of
Corsica are proud of their island even more so now as the 100th 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.
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| Citadel of historic Corté -- one of the many sights on the second day |
