Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme has further fuelled hopes that the world’s biggest cycle race will start in eastern Germany in 2029. “The project presented to us is undoubtedly an attractive proposal, which we will examine with the utmost care,” said the 65-year-old Frenchman in Berlin at the official handover of the bid by the German Cycling Federation and the “Grand Départ Allemagne” association.
Prudhomme particularly emphasised the historical significance of a Grand Départ in Berlin, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, 40 years after the Peaceful Revolution and the fall of the Berlin Wall. “This is such an important anniversary for the German people. But also for the whole of Europe and beyond, for all those who believe in freedom,” he said in front of the Brandenburg Gate.
Together with the participating federal states of Berlin, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, and with the support of the federal government, the aim is to “send a European message of freedom, solidarity and Franco-German friendship”, according to German Cycling and “Grand Départ Allemagne”.
A decision is expected by early 2027
The Tour organiser, Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), will decide on the allocation. The so-called Grand Départ usually includes, amongst other things, the team presentation and several days of racing. A decision is expected by early 2027. Plans include a prologue in Berlin and three stages through Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and Saxony. The route is set to pass through historic locations and highlight East Germany’s cycling tradition.
In 1987, the Tour started in what was then West Berlin. The most recent of four Grand Départs in Germany to date took place in Düsseldorf in 2017. Among the cities being considered as potential hosts are Slovenia, the home of Tour dominator Tadej Pogacar, and the Czech capital, Prague.
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