Porto-Vecchio to Host to Critérium International 2014

On 29 and 30 March 2014, the world’s cycling elite will gather in Corsica, with Porto-Vecchio host to the three stages of the Critérium International.

The coastline stage, the Porto-Vecchio time trial and the climb towards the Ospedale Pass, has, in the past, given rise to some first-rate tussles, confirming Bernard Hinault’s vision of the potential held by Corsican roads.

As Christian Prudhomme recalls, “Bernard Hinault always told me that Corsica’s terrain was particularly well-suited to the Critérium International. The variety that you find there, especially around Porto-Vecchio, has quickly proven to be ideal for the event.”

“In Corsica’s involvement I see a real desire to strengthen the ties between the island and cycling,” added Christian Prudhomme. “Over these four years, we have been witnessing a movement that has gone from strength to strength and which will be a great source of pride for the Critérium International in the new perspectives it has opened up.”

With around 12,000 inhabitants in the winter and nearly 100,000 at the height of the summer season, Porto-Vecchio covers around 17,000 hectares, with 40 kilometres of coastline and 5,000 hectares of mountains rising to the Ospedale Massif at 1,314 metres.

The Mayor of Porto-Vecchio, Georges Mela, said, “The experience of the Critérium International de la Route for four years gave to the city and its stakeholders the possibility to develop a knowledge to receive great sporting events. With this 5th edition, we want to extend the positive effects of the 2013 Grand Départ in order to accentuate the attractiveness of Porto-Vecchio to worldwide professional and non-professional athletes.”