The Tour de France starts on June 29th from Florence, for the first time in its history. An eagerly awaited event, with the eyes of the whole world focused on the Tuscan capital.

Three initial stages that will cross Tuscany, Emilia Romagna and Piedmont before reaching France: the first is Florence-Rimini (206 kilometres) and will be dedicated to Gino Bartali , it will cross the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines up to the Adriatic coasts.

A special edition for the “Grande Boucle”, which exceptionally it will not end in Paris (the Olympics will take place here at the end of July), but in Nice.

All eyes on Florence, therefore. The first big event is Thursday 27 June , with the presentation of the teams. Palazzo Vecchio will be the logistical base and the starting point: from here the teams will parade through the streets of the city and reach the stage in Piazzale Michelangelo for the show broadcast worldwide.

Saturday 29 June is the day of departure. The caravan will leave around 12pm from Parco delle Cascine which will become a real Village with promotional stands, like in Piazza Santa Croce.It will be a non-competitive start and will reach Piazza Signoria, where it will stop for an institutional start. The official one will instead be in Bagno a Ripoli. MORE INFO