At 9:30 a.m. this Wednesday morning, organizers of the Tour de France cycliste (ASO), members of Public Works and even Public Security will take the wheel of Christian Tornatore, General Commissioner of the final stage of the Tour de France 2024 in Monaco, to walk the 3.8 km, in the Principality, of this unique time trial between Monaco and Nice. A reconnaissance up to the gates of Beausoleil, avenue Camille-Blanc, which aims to seal the security system and a few final details. “After that, everything will be frozen. We will have gone 80% of the way. All that remains is to validate quotes and finalize the budget”, summarizes Christian Tornatore. Budget kept confidential in the Principality.
On D-Day, traffic in the Principality will be greatly limited to make way for a substantial security system and guarantee easy access for emergency services to key points of the circuit. ASO managing the running of the race; Monaco, security outside the barriers, public side.
100 volunteers needed
Serene with his 55 years of experience in the Monaco Grands Prix and car rallies, Christian Tornatore will not have been able, for the organization of this final Monaco-Nice stage, to rely on the plans of 2009, the year when the Principality had been the setting for the Prologue and the Grand Départ of the Tour de France. Because a line start has nothing to do with that of a time trial and, more generally, because the environment is completely different. At the time, the Grand Prix stands, for example, remained in place to perfect the presentation of the teams. It is therefore with a blank page that the conductor left under the tutelage of the princely government and with the support of nine cell managers (budget/order and security/infrastructure/traffic/medical and rescue/communication and media/digital/reception and protocol/volunteer).
From now on, Monaco will need to create a team of passionate and involved volunteers, who will not be paid but will be equipped and fed. 100 volunteers are needed, including 20 just for logistics.
Distributed around the circuit, their primary purpose will be to prevent any intrusion by spectators and will be equipped with a whistle. As the day is long, rotations are planned. The only essential criterion for applying: being of legal age.
Responsible for this volunteer cell, the director of the Louis-II stadium, Sylvie Bertrand, recalled Monday at the microphone of Monaco Info how to apply: “We have an email address that is [email protected] or by calling us directly at +377.92.05.40.12. You must then fill out a form. We would like to have cycling enthusiasts of course, and then we are lucky in Monaco to have volunteers who take part in lots of events. There is therefore no particular profile sought, but people ready to give their time by welcoming the public, which we hope will be numerous.”
A waking dream for young cyclists
Since there are already numerous applications from Monaco and beyond, a first information meeting is scheduled for March 21. So don’t delay applying, especially if you dream of being close to the runners in one of the most publicized sporting events in the world with the Olympics, the Football World Cup or the SuperBowl.
As at each stage of the Tour de France, local clubs are also invited to get involved in promoting the discipline. Four cadets and four juniors from the Monegasque Cycling Federation will have the honor of doing this Monaco-Nice as a curtain-raiser for the professionals.
This July 21, the Principality will be flown over by two helicopters all day and dotted with fixed or mobile cameras. A window on the world which will certainly not fail to tickle the imagination of artists, budding or not, to pass messages as always on the roads of the Tour.
D-day
During the night of Saturday July 20 to Sunday July 21: the entire circuit will be closed thanks to 8,000 meters of barriers.
From 4 a.m.
Advertisements can then be positioned on these barriers.
From 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
The team trucks will arrive via the western entrance to Monaco to position themselves on the Quai Albert-I, the Route de la Piscine and the Quai Antoine-I.
From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The circuit will be closed to traffic and only vehicles registered in the Principality will be able to travel on roads not reserved for the race. Spectators and tourists are encouraged, this Sunday, to park in the West town entrance car parks (Salines, Louis-II stadium, La Colle, etc.)
From 10 a.m. to 11:40 a.m.
Officials will carry out the final check of the route between Monaco and Nice.
From 11:40 a.m. to 12:40 p.m.
By bike or car, the runners will carry out the last training/scouting on the circuit.
From 1:10 p.m. to 1:40 p.m.
The famous Tour de France advertising caravan will tour the circuit.
From 2:40 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Riders depart one by one for the final Monaco-Nice time trial.
