Corsica start for 2013 TDF

Paris - The 2013 centenary edition of the Tour de France will get under way in Corsica, a first in the history of the world's most famous cycling race.

Tour de France chief Christian Prudhomme described the initiative as "a real challenge", adding that further details would be released during an official presentation in Ajaccio on December 6.

The race created by French rider and sports journalist Henri Desgrange in 1903, will mark its centenary in 2013 as it did not take place during the two World Wars.

According to the local daily Corse Matin, three stages will take place on the Mediterranean Island, from Porto Vecchio to Calvi, passing by Bastia and Ajaccio before returning to mainland France.

All the regions of French have hosted a stage of the Tour but the race never crossed over to the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte for logistical reasons.

In 2012, the Tour starts on June 30 in the Belgian town of Liege.