Vire has hosted five Tour finishes, the first four in the 1930s. In 1997, the town featured on stage two. That day, Mario Cipollini, who had already triumphed in Forges-les-Eaux, became the first rider ever to turn up at the start in kit that was completely yellow, and he won again just beneath the town’s fortifications. A member of the peloton that day, Thierry Gouvenou, was part of the breakaway. The former BigMat Auber 93 rider, who’s now the Tour de France race director, wanted to give himself a chance of winning in his home town.
- Stage town for the 6th time
- Sub-prefecture of the department of Calvados (14)
- Population: 17,200 (Virois and Viroises)
