The finish of the 71st edition of Paris-Nice put cycling champions in the limelight on the French Riviera for the final two stages of the Race to the Sun. Another cycling weekend will be held in just over three months in Nice, besides the Corsican Grand Départ of the Tour's 100th edition. Nice mayor Christian Estrosi and Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme unveiled the details of the "Nice fête le Tour" (Nice celebrates the Tour) operation this morning.
On the 2013 Tour, Nice will be the landing base of the peloton for its first stage on the mainland. If the city is familiar with the race, with 35 appearances since 1906, it is a welcome return to the capital of the Riviera, 32 years after the start of the 1981 edition.
For this vintage Tour de France, Nice will be doubly invited to play a leading role since, before hosting the riders, the town will have a first taste of the biggest cycling race in the world during three days between June 29 and July 1. A meeting venue will be installed to follow the first three stages live in communion with Corsican fans. A giant live screen, an exhibition village, animation stalls and various quizzes and games will take visitors to the very heart of the Tour. Amateurs will then have a chance to go from recreation to action on June 30, when they are allowed to gauge themselves on the course used for the team time-trial two days later. Applications for the 24.1-km timed challenge will be open on www.asochallenges.com from April 11.
NICE TOUR CELEBRATIONS:
. June 29,30 and July 1: Nice fête le Tour (Nice celebrates the Tour)
. Open space venue on the Promenade des Anglais.
. Animations, games and exhibitions for cycling fans of all ages.
. June 30: amateur time-trial on the course of the 4th stage (start from the Tour launching pad, applications limited to 2,500 starters)
. July 2: Nice to Nice team time-trial.
Yellow Jersey 
Green Jersey 
Red Polka Dot Jersey 
White Jersey 
Most aggressive rider 
Team classification