Monaco brought the curtain down on a memorable Grand Départ of La Vuelta on Sunday as the peloton assembled in front of the Prince’s Palace for the ceremonial start of stage two…
The 184 riders gathered on the Place du Palais before Prince Albert II cut the ribbon and gave the starting signal at midday. The Prince’s Carabiniers Orchestra provided a suitably Monegasque soundtrack, while the Spanish and Monegasque national anthems were played before the riders departed through the Principality.
The peloton then made its final journey through Monaco towards the official racing start near the Jardin Exotique, beginning a demanding 214.3km second stage to Manosque.
The weekend drew an estimated 10,000 or more spectators along Saturday’s route, while organisers and officials praised the smooth running of an operation more than a year in preparation.
After Saturday’s spectacular opening time trial and Sunday’s departure from the Palace, Monaco’s three-day celebration of cycling came to an end, adding La Vuelta to a distinguished list of Grand Tours launched from the Principality, following the Giro d’Italia in 1966 and Tour de France in 2009.
Image: Stephane Danna