From my perspective very much a statement but for the island and its visitor driven economy most likely still a question that will begin to be answered next summer. One thing's for sure - never in the history of time has Corsica had such a large television audience. And, the weather provided the perfect backdrop for Corsica to showcase itself around the globe via more than 170 TV channels with an estimated daily audience in excess of 40 million!
To remind you, this was the first ever visit of the TDF to Corsica - the final two departments of Metropolitan France to receive the world's greatest bike race and arguably the world's most watched annual sporting event.
It is reported that Corsica paid some €2 million for the privilege of hosting the Grand Depart and three days of stage racing. The arguments and fears about coping with the Tour logistics proved unfounded - 4,500 people including 200 riders and 2,000 journalists plus more than 2,000 vehicles including 200 alone for the publicity caravan!
So with the 2013 drawing to a close was it worth the wait for Corsica? Well Tour supremo Christian Prudhomme appeared very happy talking in Calvi at the end of stage 3,
"it was a great stage and the scenery was absolutely superb. I am delighted with this Grand Départ, it has been magnificent. The people here have shown the kind of real fervor and enthusiasm which you so often see by the road on the Tour de France. But I have never seen so many people say ‘thank you.’ It was incredible. We have felt a real sense of pride amongst the people at being able to host the Tour.”
As for Corsica itself it's too early for any official data but there is no doubt that the TV coverage has raised the island's profile, the back end of the summer season got busier, there are more cycling tours planned for 2014 than ever before and my site visitors and enquiries have grown significantly.
Seasons greetings and see you en Corse 2014!
To remind you, this was the first ever visit of the TDF to Corsica - the final two departments of Metropolitan France to receive the world's greatest bike race and arguably the world's most watched annual sporting event.
It is reported that Corsica paid some €2 million for the privilege of hosting the Grand Depart and three days of stage racing. The arguments and fears about coping with the Tour logistics proved unfounded - 4,500 people including 200 riders and 2,000 journalists plus more than 2,000 vehicles including 200 alone for the publicity caravan!
So with the 2013 drawing to a close was it worth the wait for Corsica? Well Tour supremo Christian Prudhomme appeared very happy talking in Calvi at the end of stage 3,
"it was a great stage and the scenery was absolutely superb. I am delighted with this Grand Départ, it has been magnificent. The people here have shown the kind of real fervor and enthusiasm which you so often see by the road on the Tour de France. But I have never seen so many people say ‘thank you.’ It was incredible. We have felt a real sense of pride amongst the people at being able to host the Tour.”
As for Corsica itself it's too early for any official data but there is no doubt that the TV coverage has raised the island's profile, the back end of the summer season got busier, there are more cycling tours planned for 2014 than ever before and my site visitors and enquiries have grown significantly.
Seasons greetings and see you en Corse 2014!
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