Nice little earner put few spokes in city’s wheels

The biggest bike race on the planet has the capacity to take over an entire city.

But if that consumption of daily life is well managed, then it can be a roaring success.

Big cities like Leeds, York and Sheffield that will host the start or finish to a stage next summer should take a leaf out of the book of the city of Nice.

The picture-perfect capital of the Côte d’Azur, which is the fifth-most populated city in France, hosted the team time trial in the 100th Tour de France earlier this month.

Logistically, it was a massive challenge for a region that is all about tourism and its long stretches of beach, with the 25km circuit never leaving the confines of the city.

Yet the disruption of day-to-day life was kept to a minimum, the execution of the day slick and professional, and the occasion utterly spellbinding – even for the sunbathers who just had to peer over the fence to see the best cyclists in the world race past.

Anyone involved in the planning of the Tour’s visit to this county, or any Yorkshire folk concerned about how a big cycling race will disrupt their routine should fear not, if it is executed as well as it was in Nice.

Laurent Ciubini is director of sport for the city of Nice. His responsibility was making the Tour’s visit as serene as possible, to deliver the goods when one of the biggest sporting events on the planet comes to town.

“It all started four years ago during a stage of the 2009 Tour between Monaco and Brignoles,” begins Laurent.

“As they were following the race in the same car, Christian Estrosi (mayor of Nice) and Christian Prudhomme (race director) were amazed at the enthusiasm of the crowds along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice.

“From that moment on, the idea was born to host a stage of the Tour here and make Nice the backdrop of the 100th Tour, which last happened in 1981.

“After some more talking, the choice of Nice was made official by Christian Prudhomme in December, 2011.

“On October 30, 2012, we had our first technical meeting with ASO. Then in December 2012, we received all technical specifications from ASO, which left us exactly six months to plan all the events.”

The starting pistol had been fired and the city of Nice began preparations for one of the Tour’s biggest days.

Amaury Sport Organisation – the Tour de France’s governing body – sets the rules and sorts the sporting content, leaving the host city to concentrate on locations for things like the corporate village, media centre and fan parks.

Laurent continued: “About 150 employees of the Nice sports office worked hand-in-hand with other city offices as well as 1,000 national and local police officers and 230 volunteers to make sure we matched all ASO’s technical specifications.

“The local authority does play a huge part in the logistics and planning, with ASO obviously keeping an eye on it.”

Among the features in Nice was the fan park that ran along the Promenade des Anglais, parallel with where the cyclists finished the team time trial.

Having an area large enough to accommodate the myriad team buses and support vehicles, as well as the publicity caravan that weaves its way through the route two hours before the cyclists, entertaining the crowds, also requires careful consideration and planning.

The whole city of Nice was taken over, with major exhibition halls used as Tour offices and the media centre.

Considering all that goes with a Tour visit, it made it all the more impressive just how quickly the city was transformed back to its normal self within less than two hours of the last bike crossing the line.

“It is a priority for us the get the city back to normal in the most secure way as possible,” explained Laurent, who added that consultation with residents at all times, before and after, was of paramount importance.

“The removing process started as soon as the race finished so that everything was cleared at midnight the same day.

“Traffic and parking were totally blocked in the area of the course on race day and for the amateur time trial two days before the pros.

“Details about traffic and parking restrictions were sent to inhabitants (200,000), was available online and in the local newspapers.

“We tried to minimise the effect on the population by using strong communication. From my experience, it seemed like most people were very understanding and truly embraced the fun spirit of the Tour and 100,000 spectators came out to see the event.”

Economically the Tour had a massive impact on Nice, from full hotels to overspilling restaurants.

Coffee shops were heaving on the morning of the race and restaurants packed out that evening as cycling fans looked back on the day’s events.

The streets were lined with people of all ages and most nationalities who had come to support the race, regardless of team or cyclists’ nationalities, and the general joie de vivre around the city was infectious.

It all added up to a worthy investment for the sun-kissed Côte d’Azur.

“It is definitely worth the investment of 500,000 euros to get the Tour here in Nice,” concluded Laurent.

“The Tour is the third most popular sports event in the world after the Olympic Games and the Soccer World Cup.

“Six hundred and 50 million viewers watched the race in Nice and it was on TV in 190 countries, which is an amazing advertisement for our city.

“Economically, the Tour has a huge impact on local hotels, restaurants and transport professionals. For instance, 100 per cent of hotel rooms were booked during five days in Nice.

“In addition, 100,000 people visited the village of the Tour during four days, and 100,000 spectators watched the race along the circuit through 
Nice.

“It all adds up to a direct, financial impact of 240 million euros for all the host cities of the Tour every year.”

So while the numbers may be intoxicating, there remain some important lessons to be learned for Yorkshire’s local authorities to ensure everyone gets the full value from the visit of the Tour de France.

Leading leisure airline Jet2.com offers friendly low fares, great flight times, and a generous 22kg baggage allowance to Nice Airport from Manchester, East Midlands and Leeds Bradford Airports.

Flights start from £35 one way including taxes.

For more information visit www.jet2.com or call 0871 226 1737