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Tour de France continues in wake of Nice atrocity

A man waves a French national flag as he cheers with other fans along the road during the 178 km twelvelth stage of the 103rd edition of the Tour de France
Image: The 13th stage of the Tour de France is going ahead as planned

The Tour de France's 13th stage 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 the southern French city of Nice.

A gunman at the wheel of a heavy truck ploughed into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in Nice late on Thursday, killing at least 84 people and injuring scores more in what President Francois Hollande called a terrorist act.

The stage began at 0805 GMT, later than scheduled after race organisers debated whether it should be cancelled.

Chris Froome of Great Britain riding for Team Sky wearing the yellow leaders jersey is assisted by a Team Sky support member
Image: Tour leader Chris Froome has expressed his condolences to the victims of the Nice attack

The stage is a 37.5-km (23.5-mile) time trial from Bourg-saint-Andeol to Vallon Pont-d'Arc in the Ardeche region some three hours' drive northwest of Nice.

Race director Christian Prudhomme said: "We had a crisis meeting with the prefect of the Ardeche department and the gendarmerie. The stage is on.

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Tour de France Director, Christian Prudhomme insists the race will carry on as normal despite the Bastille Day terror attack in Nice

"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 Friday's route.

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Leader Chris Froome, who will be the last man on the road, posted a picture of the French flag on Twitter and wrote: "Thoughts are with those affected by the horrific terror attack in Nice."

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