Tour de France organizers unveil opening stages of 2020 race

Sprinters and climbers will have a chance to shine at the start of next year's Tour de France.

Race organizers have unveiled the details of the first two stages of the 2020 edition of cycling's showcase event, which will start in the Mediterranean city of Nice.

Britain's Geraint Thomas, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, is followed by teammate Britain's Chris Froome as they speed down Col de Val Louron-Azet pass during the seventeenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race with start in Bagneres-de-Luchon and finish in Saint-Lary-Soulan, Col du Portet pass, France, Wednesday July 25, 2018. [File photo: AP]

The 170-kilometer opening stage consists of three laps on a circuit designed around Nice with a finish on the Promenade des Anglais that should favor sprinters. The profile of the second stage, which also finishes in Nice, is radically different with three difficult climbs, the Col de la Colmiane, Col de Turini and Col d'Eze.

The Riviera city, which hosts the final stage of the Paris-Nice race each year, previously held the Grand Depart in 1981.

This year's race will begin in Brussels to celebrate the 50th anniversary of five-time champion Eddy Merckx's first win.