- When will the decision on the Grand Départ 2029 be made?
- The UCI is expected to decide on the starting location of the 2029 Tour de France in autumn 2026. By then, the German club must submit its application with concrete plans.
- Which federal states would be affected by the application?
- The planned route includes stages in Berlin, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. That would be a novelty in the history of the Tour de France, which has only started twice in Germany.
- Why is a start in the East politically significant?
- 40 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, a Grand Départ in the East would be a symbol of European unity and reunification. It would strengthen German-French friendship and promote cycling in East Germany.
- How does cycling react to the application?
- The German Cycling Association supports the initiative and sees it as an opportunity to revitalize cycling in the East. The French embassy in Berlin also welcomed the application as a sign of friendship.
- Are there any historical precedents for a tour start in Germany?
- Yes, the Tour de France started in Cologne in 1965 and in Florence in 2024 (as a replacement for the canceled Tour in Italy). However, a start in the East would be a novelty.
- What economic effects can be expected?
- Experts estimate that a Grand Départ could create up to 10,000 jobs in the region, from event management to hospitality and tourism. The infrastructure projects could also stimulate long-term investments in the region.
