The 81st edition of the Critérium International will also be the 3rd to take place in Corsica, which will additionally welcome the Grand Start and three stages of the Tour de France in 2013. To get a taste of the relief on the Isle of Beauty, the leading riders of the world elite will be coming to Porto-Vecchio on 24th and 25th March. According to the traditional concept of the event, three stages that are both varied and complementary are served up to the riders for the first weekend of spring. However, this year, a significant change has been made to the sequence of the triple stage event. After the flat stage and the time-trial that will take place on Saturday, the medium altitude mountain stage has been scheduled for the climax of the race on Sunday afternoon. The final climb to the Col de l'Ospedale pass, which has always designated the winner since the arrival of the Critérium in Corsica, promises a defining struggle between the pretenders for the title. After this ascent, there will be no time to catch up lost ground.
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