Tour de France - Florence, Bologna & Turino

I would say that much of the close to the finish is ticketed, but if it's not, the early bird gets the worm.

I would also say that the week or so leading up to the Depart will have much more information, but I would assume that you can go to the presentation, just not sure how far away you will be. The location on the top of a hill does lend itself to be restricted, but I doubt they would restrict the ENTIRE hillside.

I would check here for thoughts.... https://www.letouritalia.it/ or at least start there....

I can't see the EXACT streets on that page with a quick look, but the race program has been released, so it should make its way online soon. I would say anywhere that it would slow the peloton down would be a good spot, but also in the beginning before the official start they would be going slower. On a normal stage, I would say the depart would give you a chance to get closer to the riders, but since it's the first, I don't know how restricted it will be.

Perhaps some of the 40,000 followers of the tourdefrance subreddit can help: https://www.reddit.com/r/tourdefrance/

Grand Depart is a wonderful experience, we've gone twice to Dusseldorf (2017) & Copenhagen (2021). We'll be in Nice for Stage 20 & 21 this year. The TDF website has LOTS of info. & most things we've experienced are free/without tickets because they want to engage the fans & general public. They have FAN designated areas with lots of swag give aways, extra attention in those cities represented so they go all out! Team presentation should be open to everyone & we only needed tickets in Copenhagen because of where it was held - but they were free & it is SUCH a great thing to see the riders excited to ride in as a group for their start! If you're willing to scope out a special spot by all means be willing to stay put but we've just gone with the flow & been able to see plenty while enjoying some of the other things those cities/towns have to offer. We actually prefer the TT days in person because you get to see each rider & not just the blur of the peloton as they race by! ENJOY!!!!

@sjgramke I will be in Nice too! Scoping out places on that TT day is going to be the stressful part :) I think we are probably going to be nearer to our apartment in the old town along the Promenade cuz the finish will be insanity and only for ticket people, but we shall see....it's crazy how this is all new to EVERYONE......

Thank you all for your responses! Great information!!

Mike, excellent idea re reddit - I hadn't thought of that.

Katherine and sjgranke - agreed that TT will be special & spectacular, but since I have only the first three days, I am hoping for a slow rollout through Florence and then I am hoping to arrive early in Bologna and Turin (by train) and stake out a position close to the finish line.

Very excited!
Keir

hi,
So excited to be in Florence for the start of TDF. Have seen starts in Dusseldorf 2017 and Brussels 2019.
Most places have accessible areas to view and lots of screens too.
I have been dubbed "prize pig" by my friends :) as I love to watch the teams pass by and grab a few trinkets that they throw out to fans.
We are also heading to Bologna to see the finish of day 2.
I'm hoping to watch the team presentations on Thursday in Florence and wave the Aussie flag. Keep an eye out!
Jenny
Blue Mountains Australia.

Usually people can watch the race from the fences on the side of the street for free. Like other say: the early bird take the worm!
Not sure about other cities, but for Bologna arrival my suggestion is to stay near the San Luca climb. The road there is quite steep (10% average) and they do that climb twice. For sure is a place where you can see the cyclist passing at a slower speed, not the 50 Km/h they do on plan. That road is close to the center and on one side there is the portico, so you have even shelter from rain and sun! Of course I suspect will be very crowded, because in Emilia Romagna cycling is very loved and all lovers will be there!