Nice attack: Tour de France stage 13 to go ahead as planned after Bastille Day atrocity
KEY POINTS
- 84 killed after lorry ploughed into crowds celebrating Bastille Day
- Stage 13 of Tour takes place 300km away from Thursday's attacks
Stage 13 of the Tour de France will go ahead as planned today (July 15) with "enhanced security" in place following the attack in Nice last night (14 July).
At least 84 people have been killed with scores more injured after a lorry drove into a crowd gathered on the famous Promenade des Anglais celebrating Bastille Day in the city in the south of France. A state of emergency, initially declared after last November's Paris attacks, has been extended by a further three months.
Stage 13, an individual time trial from Bourg-Saint-Andeol to La Caverne du Pont-d'Arc, takes place approximately 300km away from the scenes of Thursday's incident.
Local authorities have confirmed plans for a greater security presence while a minute's silence has been held ahead of the start of today's race.
Race Director Christian Prudhomme said: "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."
Defending Chris Froome holds an overall lead in the Tour.
At The Open at Royal Troon in west Scotland, golfers have been issued with black ribbons to pay respect the victims of the Nice attack, while the French flag will be flown at half mast throughout the second day of competition.
Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur are among the teams across the country to pay tribute to victims on social media also reassuring their supporters that goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who is from Nice, is safe and well.
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