TDF organisers unveil opening stages of 2020 race

Paris - Sprinters and climbers will have a chance to shine at the start of next year's Tour de France.

Race organisers have unveiled the details of the first two stages of the 2020 edition of cycling's showcase event, which will start in the Mediterranean city of Nice.

The 170km opening stage consists of three laps on a circuit designed around Nice with a finish on the Promenade des Anglais that should favor sprinters.

The profile of the second stage, which also finishes in Nice, is radically different with three difficult climbs, the Col de la Colmiane, Col de Turini and Col d'Eze.

The Riviera city, which hosts the final stage of the Paris-Nice race each year, previously held the Grand Depart in 1981.

This year's race will begin in Brussels to celebrate the 50th anniversary of five-time champion Eddy Merckx's first win.

? Discover the route of Stage 1? of the #TDF2020 ?
?Découvrez le parcours de l'Etape 1??
Saturday June 27, 2020
??Nice - Nice ??
??170 km#NiceCyclingPardise pic.twitter.com/8PySKKNPFx

— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) March 18, 2019

?Stage 1? / Etape 1? ?
?? Nice - Nice ??
170 km

??"Spectacular for the riders and for the public as well!"
??"Du spectacle pour les coureurs comme pour le public ."#TDF2020 #NiceCyclingParadise pic.twitter.com/jDKKSLMrqX

— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) March 18, 2019

? Discover the route of Stage 2? of the #TDF2020 ?
?Découvrez le parcours de l'Etape 2??

Sunday June 28, 2020
??Nice - Nice ??
??190 km#NiceCyclingParadise pic.twitter.com/ZwvuG3dLr7

— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) March 18, 2019

?Stage 2? / Etape 2? ?
?? Nice - Nice ??
190 km
??"It's been 40 years since a start of the Tour de France has not reached such hights."
??"Cela fait 40 ans qu'un départ du Tour de France n'était pas allé si haut."#TDF2020 #NiceCyclingParadise pic.twitter.com/MgBOcQ4DXh

— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) March 18, 2019