Club

Le Gym and the Tour de France in painting

Just days before the start of the Tour de France, the local association "Whole Street" and its artists Chika, Dzio, Kotek, Otom, Ernesto Novo and César M have officially unveiled their two frescoes on the Escota motorway bridge at Saint-Isidore, just a stone’s throw from Allianz Riviera. The fresco of Le Gym, visible over the last few weeks, now sits proudly opposite one dedicated to the biggest cycling race in the world.

Jean-Pierre Rivère, OGC Nice chairman, was present at the unveiling. He spoke to AZUR TV of his delight to see the club celebrated like this, so close to Allianz Riviera, and to be seen by all those that will watch the start of the Tour de France in the next few days on television in France and around the world: “It is a truly rare event and we are lucky enough to have two stages and the start of the Tour. Above and beyond that, it was also important for us to have such a beautiful representation of the club so close to our stadium. A lot of our supporters take that route, there are some famous faces of OGC Nice on the wall and I think everyone is very happy about that,” before reminding everyone of the obvious links between the two: “At OGC Nice, we are very involved with cycling because we support Team INEOS Grenadiers. We hope they go all the way and win the Tour again in Paris.”

While former goalkeeper and World Cup-winning captain Hugo Lloris posed proudly in front of his portrait last month, Jean-Pierre Rivère added his own little tough the the fresco on Tuesday in the presence of Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi.