The Tour de France will finish in Nice in 2024 meaning the cycling classic will conclude outside of Paris for the first time in its long history, the Italian daily Gazzetta dello Sport reports.

Florence is also to host the grand depart in two years, meaning the race will begin in Italy for the first time, according to the report which has not been confirmed by Tour organisers in Paris.

The Tour de France traditionally finishes on the glamorous Champs Elysees boulevard but preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics have reportedly forced a change.

The final stage of the tour on July 21 is just five days before the opening ceremony of the Games.

Nice on the Cote d'Azur will instead take over hosting duties for the finale, which is usually a procession rather than a competitive stage.

The first three stages in 2024 are to take place exclusively Italy before the border to France is crossed in stage four.

The 2022 Tour begins July 1 in Copenhagen with 2023's grand depart in Spain's Basque country.