Venice Seeking Tour de France Start

L-R: Christian Prudhomme and Mayor Giorgio Orsoni

Today, Mayor Giorgio Orsoni of Venice met with Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France to discuss the possibility of a "Le Grand Depart" from piazza San Marco in Venice between 2015 and 2017. 2015 would mark the 90th anniversary of the 1925 Tour de France victory of Ottavio Bottecchia (he first won the race in 1924).

The proposal discussed includes starting with a time trial in Venice before one or two days of racing in the Veneto region from which Ottavio Bottecchia was from.The proposal was formalized by the President of VeneTour, Eleonora Bottecchia, a descendant of Ottavio. Also present at the meeting was Cyruille Tricart, responsible for planning of the grand depart, and other Italian officials.

After the morning meeting in Venice there was a meeting in Conegliano (Treviso) which could host a stage.

Christian Prudhomme and Eleonora Bottecchia in Conegliano

Ottavio Bottecchia

Related story in ICJ:
Ottavio Bottecchia

Note: The 2014 Tour de France will start in Leeds, England.

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