The final circuit of the 2014 Tour de France will circle the Arc de Triomphe, for the second year running, after organisers confirmed details of next year’s evening finale.
Stage 21 of next year’s 101st Tour, which will take place on Sunday July 27, will see a repeat of this year’s nocturne finish when Marcel Kittel (Argos-Shimano) won under a setting Parisian sun on the Champs-Elysees.
At the route presentation earlier this year, it appeared likely the finishing circuit would revert to its previous format – turning just short of the iconic arch – for next year’s event.
However, organisers ASO confirmed they have received permission from Parisian police to once again circle the monument to the fallen of the French Revolution and Napoleonic wars
Assistant Tour director Pierre-Yves Thouault told AFP: “The success of the 2013 Tour convinced us to include the same route, which allows is to best promote the race as well as the monuments.”
The Tour rolls out in Yorkshire on Saturday July 5, with three stages in Britain – finishing in Harrogate, Sheffield and London respectively – before heading over to mainland Europe.
This year’s finale saw Kittel beat Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) and Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) to end the Manx Missile’s run of four straight victories on the Champs-Elysees, and the three sprinters are likely to be among the favourites again next year.
