Tour de France 2024
Introduction
The 111th edition of the Tour de Francewill begin inFlorence: it is the 25th time that the Tour has started from outside France (the first time in 1954 from Amsterdam) and for the first time in 121 years of history that it begin in Italy.
From 29 June to 1 July, our peninsula will be dressed in yellow and welcome the participants and supporters of one of the best-known and most popular cycling events. Unesco cities, unique territories, ancient villages and beautiful landscapes will be the backdrop to the passing ofi athletes of international renown who will travel from Florence, to Rimini, Cesenatico, Bologna, Piacenza and Turin, will travel through our national territory to cross into France, via the Sestriere, to Montgenèvre.
The tour will cover French territory, following an anti-clockwise route through the main regions, passing through the towns of Valloire, Dijon, Troyes, Orlean, Saint-Amand-Montrond, Villeneuve-Sur-Lot, and then through the Pyrenean villages of Pau, Loudenvielle and Plateau de Beille, and up towards Nimes to finally arrive in Nice.
The history of the Tour de France
Since 1903, the Tour de France has pushed man to the limit. But since its inception, many things have changed. From being an essentially national attraction, the Tour has become one of the most important annual sporting events, attracting thousands of fans from all over the world every year, and also The Route has become safer and less extreme.
Founded on the wishes of a declining sports newspaper with the aim of boosting sales, the new race attracted the attention of a wider audience: thousands of fans gathered in Paris each year to watch the final stage on the Champ-Elysée.
It was not until 1955 that a women's race was considered but the event remained an isolated one. The event in pink was limited to a one-day race. It was not until 2022 that the Tour de France Femme which this year starts in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and crosses Belgium to arrive in France, in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, in Alpe D'Huez.
Many other things have changed radically since that first Tour in 1903. Firstly, the daring and audacious participants ran, alone, without the help of a team, on very heavy and single-speed bicycles while now, technological evolution is accompanied by a team that counts on many professionals such as managers, mechanics, chefs, doctors and massage therapists. The rider is also in permanent radio contact with their team and has access to spare bikes, clothes, food and drinks.
However, the great improvements have not overshadowed the beauty of a race that, with its long history, has fascinated and continues to fascinate millions of people.
From Florence to Rimini
Cradle of the Renaissance and the arts, Florence embodies centuries of history and art. The "noble city" celebrated by Dante, perfectly embodies the fruit of Dante's longed-for Parnassus. In this beautiful setting, on 29 June, the first stage of the Tour de France that will take participants to cross the Apennines and reach the Malatesta town of Rimini with its many Roman relics.
From Cesenatico to Bologna
On 30 June, the Grande Boucle will start from Cesenatico. Crossing the magnificent Ravenna, with its imperial beauty, will depart the Adriatic coast and head inland towards Bologna, passing through Faenza and Imola. The Dotta city, as Bologna is known for its historic university, welcomes us with its beauty, the bustle of its porticoes and its magnificent gastronomic traditions.
From Piacenza to Turin
The final and "official" stage of the Italian Grand Départ of the Tour de France will begin in Piacenza. The arrival point of the ancient Via Emilia and a place of passage and trade, the city has always been dedicated towelcoming and hospitality. From Piacenza, the race continues its journey through magnificent landscapes and, after passing through Alba, reaches Turin, the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy.
Last Italian stretch
On Tuesday, 2 July, the Tour de France will head for France beginning in Pinerolo, the city of cavalry, and after the ascent to the 2035-metre altitude of the Sestriere Pass, to Montgenèvre, crossing the Italian border to continue its journey in the Land of Light.
