Paris Olympics changes Tour de France tour finale route to Nice

In a historic deviation from its traditional finale in Paris, the Tour de France 2024 is set to culminate in Nice on July 21, following its Grand Depart in Florence, Italy. This alteration comes as a strategic move to alleviate pressure on the police force during the Summer Olympics in Paris from July 26 to Aug. 11.

Tour director Christian Prudhomme emphasized the necessity of this decision, stating, "There are only 28,000 police forces available, and we knew we could not get more."

The forthcoming edition promises a riveting spectacle, with the peloton making an early entry into the challenging terrains of the Alps on the fourth stage. The race will later return for a climactic block of racing, featuring a mountain-stage conclusion at the Col de la Couillole, followed by a demanding individual time trial stretching from Monaco to Nice.


This marks the first time since 1989 that the final stage will be fiercely contested, harking back to Greg Lemond's iconic time trial victory on the Champs-Elysees.

Defending champion Jonas Vingegaard and the formidable Tadej Pogacar are anticipated to once again lead the fray as top contenders for the coveted title.

The race promises an exhilarating climax, with the final days heavily dominated by the treacherous mountainous terrain, as disclosed by Prudhomme, who asserted, "The last three four days will be very tough because we will be in the mountains."

Meanwhile, the women's Tour will embark on its own distinct journey, commencing in the Netherlands and Belgium for the initial three days. The grand finale is scheduled at the iconic L'Alpe d'Huez, a legendary ascent in cycling lore.

Women's Tour director Marion Rousse affirmed, "It's the toughest stage in Tour de France Femmes history with 4,000 meters of altitude gain. The stage also features the Col du Glandon, which I think is the hardest in France. Women have proved they have the level for that."