Grand Départ Nice

Welcome to Nice and the start of what will be an incredible 5 days embracing the fabulous Tour de France Grand Départ!

This morning, our Mummu Cycling team will meet you at the Nice airport or train station at 10am to collect and transfer you to our premium accommodation at Le Méridien hotel where we will be located for the tour’s duration. Ideally positioned, right on the stunning Mediterranean coastline and just meters from the opening stage start/finish lines. Rest assured, you won’t get much closer to the Tour de France send-off than this!

On arrival, take some time to check-in and freshen up before meeting our team, who will assist in setting up and fitting bikes ahead of our afternoon warm-up ride.

Take the opportunity to then explore our gorgeous surroundings and grab a bite ahead of ride time at approximately 2pm.

Your tour host – former pro cycling legend, Stuart O’Grady will then lead you out on a relaxed 1.5 hour ride along the scenic coastal roads that surround Nice, to spin the legs out post travel, check bikes are running smoothly and to gear up for some big days on the horizon!

On arrival back, you’ll have time to refresh before we walk 450m to take our first real step into the Tour de France madness, at the official opening teams’ presentations. Expect nothing but pure excitement and lively atmosphere as thousands of other likeminded Tour de France enthusiasts come together to see the star-studded line-up take the stage to officially begin their 2020 TDF journey. Get your cameras out, as this will be a prime opportunity to snap away and see your favourite riders – all calm, before the storm!

Concluding a spectacular opening presentation, we will enjoy a group dinner to toast to our Tour de France adventures ahead.

Take this morning to start your day right with a delicious buffet breakfast at the hotel before we get set to tackle the surrounding undulating roads of Nice.

Stuey will have you whipping out your climbing legs as we head out on bikes from the hotel to enjoy a scenic mountain loop. This will mark a fantastic opportunity to experience beautiful Nice by bike and catch a glimpse of the stunning views and scenery that border the coastal city. Also this is the perfect time to test your legs out over a climb or two…Game on – if you so desire!

On return, take some time to enjoy lunch at your leisure in the humming city centre, before freshening up ahead of our evening’s cocktail function at a pro team’s hotel. Here, your host Stuart O’Grady has arranged an exclusive meet and greet with a professional team about to embark on their Tour de France journey. This will be an incredible chance to see how the team operate and prepare ahead of the most important race on the World Tour calendar. You’ll gather some fantastic insight from the ‘team behind the team’ of mechanics, to sporting directors. Get your questions and cameras ready!

Following our tour and race chat, we will return to downtown Nice, where the evening will be yours to enjoy the Tour de France festivities and test out the local dining hotspots. Time to get excited for the official Grand Départ tomorrow where the real games will begin…

Following breakfast, get prepared for an incredible day ahead as we set out to enjoy an exclusive opportunity to ride off the official Stage 1 start line, on closed roads, just hours ahead of the pros themselves and within the Tour de France race caravan!

This unique experience is a huge privilege we can deliver as an official Tour Operator of the Tour de France and one we immensely look forward to each year.

To top, today is Stage 1 and the atmosphere, lively-passionate crowds and excitement gathering will be truly spectacular. You will feel like a bit of a superstar as you set off the start line, with lines of avid fans cheering you on as they get set for the race to follow.

You will ride one lap of the 50km starting loop and will undoubtedly be grinning the whole way round!

On arrival back, you’ll be able to shower and change at the hotel, conveniently placed right by the start, before returning to see what we expect will be an incredibly thrilling Stage 1 final.

We’ll have you perfectly located at finish line hospitality where unlimited beverages and French canapés will be on hand. You’ll be giddy with excitement, witnessing those final winning moments LIVE, champagne in hand and toasts all round!

Concluding an epic day out, the evening will be yours to rest up, or explore and cheers to the first Yellow Jersey wearer of 2020.

Fuel well at breakfast this morning as today you’ll be tackling the challenging Col d’Èze and getting your first taste of Tour de France mountain madness while you’re at it.

The Col d’Èze is a popular training test for the Monaco based pros, including Tour de France race favourite, Chris Froome…At 10km in length and averaging 5%, it will present the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself on a climb, or alternatively tap your way up in your own time. Our Mummu Cycling team will be with you all the way, with our support vehicle always just around the corner when assistance is required.

Come the summit, you’ll be feeling elated and on top of the world as you look down on what you’ve achieved and appreciate the spectacular coastal views. Now you’ll be kicking back, relaxing over a roadside picnic lunch while awaiting the race to approach and absorbing the inevitable lively mountain stage atmosphere.

It may only be Stage 2, but we have a good feeling it’ll be race ON up here! Get ready to get your cheer on full steam as your favourite riders come blitzing by…

Following some exhilarating spectating, we will return to the hotel to relax, freshen up and pack bikes with the assistance of our team, ahead of our final farewell group dinner!

This morning, following breakfast and check-out we will set off to the Stage 3 Start where you’ll enjoy exclusive access to the Departure Village.

This access presents a unique occasion to see the riders within close proximity sign-on for the stage ahead, while enjoying the official Tour de France Departure Village festivities…Always full of atmosphere and lined with goodies ranging from local delicacies, to coffee and beverages…

From there, you’ll also have the opportunity to wander through the team bus zone with your tour host, Stuart O’Grady.  Here you’ll see the riders undergo their pre-race rituals, warm-ups and routines ahead of the stage. Stick with Stuey and we’re confident you’ll meet a star or two!

This afternoon, following the Stage Start, our team will transfer you to the Nice airport/train station before saying Bon Voyage!

Thank you for joining us on tour – we hope you had a blast and that we’ll see you back for more Mummu Cycling adventures in the future.