The Tour de France's 13th stage has got underway under tightened security on Friday after riders had observed a minute's silence in tribute to the scores of victims of the Bastille Day attack in Nice.
A gunman at the wheel of a heavy truck ploughed into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in Nice killing at least 84 people and injuring scores more in what President Francois Hollande called a terrorist act.
The stage a 37.5km time trial from Bourg-saint-Andeol to Vallon Pont-d'Arc in the Ardeche region some three hours' drive northwest of Nice began later than scheduled after race organisers debated whether it should be cancelled.
Tour de France race organisers considered abandoning the 13th stage. Photo: Photosport
"We had a crisis meeting with the prefect of the Ardeche department and the gendarmerie. The stage is on," said race director Christian Prudhomme.
"We want this day to be a day of dignity as a tribute to the victims. We asked ourselves (whether the stage should be cancelled) but we think, after agreeing with authorities, that the race must continue."
The prefecture of the Ardeche department said security was being reinforced along the route.
-AAP
