On 29 July 2026, German Cycling e.V. officially submitted the “bid book” for the 2029 Grand Départ to Amaury Sport Organisation. At the Jakob-Kaiser-Haus of the German Bundestag, representatives from the worlds of politics, sport, business and diplomacy met with A.S.O. Director General Yann Le Moënner and Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme. The federal government and the four federal states of Berlin, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia are supporting the project.
Historical context of the Grand Départ
The bid uses the anniversary year 2029 as its backdrop. Forty years after the Peaceful Revolution and the fall of the Berlin Wall, the start of the Tour is intended to link the history of German reunification with Franco-German friendship. Starting points along the former inner-German border could serve as reminders of division and reunification. German-French friendship projects, town twinning schemes and cultural programmes are to accompany the sporting launch. “A Grand Départ in 2029 would be far more than just a sporting event. It offers an opportunity to thank those who paved the way for freedom and German reunification, whilst at the same time honouring the great cycling tradition, particularly in eastern Germany. “It is this combination of history, enthusiasm and the future that makes our bid so special,” explains Rudolf Scharping, Honorary President of German Cycling.
Planned stages of the 2029 Tour de France
Stages had already been proposed as part of the bid. The proposed stages for the 2029 Tour de France start will pass through cities, historic sites and diverse landscapes in Berlin and central Germany. The plans aim to combine sporting challenges with attractive insights into the region and appeal to a wide audience both locally and worldwide. The 2029 Tour de France is set to kick off with a team presentation in Dresden. According to the plans, the first stage will run from there through Saxony and Thuringia to Jena, including the steep climb at Meerane. The proposal combines sporting challenges with the region’s varied landscapes.
According to the proposal, the second stage runs from Erfurt to Magdeburg, linking Thuringia with Saxony-Anhalt. The planned route passes through the Kyffhäuser and the Harz mountains, amongst other places, and thus offers challenging climbs set against a backdrop of varied landscapes. According to the plan, the Grand Départ will conclude with an individual time trial from Halle to Leipzig. The route passes through urban areas and ends with a circuit around the Red Bull Arena.
| Stage 1 | Dresden → Jena | 213 km | 2,160 metres of elevation gain |
| Stage 2 | Erfurt → Magdeburg | 227 km | 1,730 metres of elevation gain |
| Stage 3 (time trial) | Halle → Leipzig | 49.8 km | 190 hm |
Grand Départ Organisation
Grand Départ Allemagne e.V. initiated and developed the bid. The association, based in Leipzig, is coordinating the project, political liaison and public relations. German Cycling e.V. is acting as the official organising body and has submitted the bid to A.S.O. Behind the project is an alliance comprising the four federal states, their capital cities, associations, clubs and representatives from the worlds of business and politics.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
