After initially ruling out the possibility of lapping the Arc du Triomphe again in 2014, Tour de France organisers have confirmed that the race will repeat the loops it traced around the French landmark this year.
The Arc was incorporated into the race’s route this year as part of the celebrations for the 100th Tour de France. Known as one of the busiest roadways in the country, the race had previously stopped short of it after racing up the Champs Elysees.
That changed for 2013, however, although the race was run off late in the evening and so traffic was quieter that it might have been.
Race organisers ASO have revealed today that the local police have rubberstamped a repeat of this year’s finish. Each of the finishing laps will see the race climb up the Champ Elysees, wheel around the Arc and then drop back down the far side of the famous avenue.
“The police commissioner has given his agreement for a route identical to that of 2013,” Tour de France assistant director Pierre-Yves Thouault told AFP. “The success of the 2013 Tour convinced us to include the same route which allows us to best promote the race as much as the monuments.”
France is the most highly visited country in the world, with an estimated 83.0 million international tourists arriving in 2012. The Tour de France has long been used as a promotional vehicle for tourism, and the images of its scenery have been broadcast globally via the screening of the race.
There will however be a modification to this year’s finishing circuit; the peloton will cross the Alexandre III bridge before beginning those loops, rather than the Pont du Carrousel.
AFP states that the stage will finish at approximately 7.30 pm Paris time, earlier than this year’s conclusion. It means that the finale will take place in daylight hours rather than in twilight and dusk.
The final stage will be held on Sunday July 27th. Next year’s race begins in Yorkshire, with three stages in Britain before heading back to mainland Europe.