The climate, scenery and beaches of Corsica make it the perfect destination for tourists, but the Mediterranean island is a magnet for sporting events, too.
Its network of twisty mountain roads make it ideal for motorsport and the first edition of the famous rally was organised in 1956, initially known as the Rallye des 10 000 Virages (10,000 Corners).
To celebrate the Tour de Corse’s return to the world championship fold this week, an event reviving that original name – Tour de Corse 10 000 Virages – is being run in parallel. It stars supercars, modern GTs, sports cars and prestige cars, plus a class for hybrid and electric vehicles.
It started on the French mainland (Toulon) on Wednesday and will continue until Sunday via a specific itinerary (Toulon-Bastia-Ajaccio-Porto Vecchio-Ajaccio), although participants will share one stage per day with their WRC counterparts.
Immediately after the WRC rally finishes, the 2015 Tour de Corse Historique is due to start in Porto Vecchio.
This immensely popular event (275 entries!) is organised by former European Rally Champion Yves Loubet, Corsica’s most successful driver who appeared in Lancia Martini colours between 1987 and 1991. He scored four world class podium finishes and several class wins.
The five-day rally’s 1,071km route features 358km divided into 17 stages, including many of the island’s long-time classics.
There are actually two competitions in one: one which permits flat out driving on closed roads (170 cars), plus a regularity rally (105) with entries divided into three subclasses (high, medium and low average speeds).
Another event to benefit from Corsica’s exceptional roads is the Tour de Corse Cycliste which was first organised in 1920. Former winners include Ireland’s former world champion Stephen Roche and five-time Tour de France victor Bernard Hinault.
Now reserved for amateur riders, the last edition was held in 2014, with 120 participants.
The other big ‘tour’ on the island’s sporting calendar is the Tour de Corse à la Voile. This annual four-day yacht race (October 15-18) starts and finishes in Bonifacio at the island’s southern tip. Its total distance is 250 nautical miles, which equates to 430 kilometres.
A new record for the island’s circumnavigation was established in 2014 by Lionel Péan’s VOR 70 SFS (25 hours 57 minutes). Whether one of this year’s 60 or so craft (around 500 crew members) can better that this year will obviously depend on the wind!
A dream of the organising Yacht Club de Bonifacio is to one day run a cycle relay race (two riders per bike) around the island’s coastal roads (approximately 600km) at the same time as the yacht race, thereby combining two Tours of Corsica in one!
