"An extremely convincing project": Germany officially submits bid to host the 2029 Tour de France Grand Départ
Cycling
Germany has taken another major step towards bringing the Tour de France back to the country. On Wednesday, July 29, the official bid to host the 2029 Grand Départ was formally presented in Berlin to race organiser Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO).
The bid was submitted by German Cycling, whose delegation handed over the official bid book, along with a symbolic piece of the Berlin Wall, to ASO General Director Yann Le Moënner and Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme in the presence of representatives from politics, sport, business and diplomacy.
Berlin aims to host historic start
Germany's proposal would see the 2029 Tour de France begin in Berlin before travelling through the eastern federal states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia.
The project has the backing of the German federal government as well as the four participating states and is closely linked to the 40th anniversary of the Peaceful Revolution (a 1989 series of nonviolent protests in East Germany that ended communist rule) and the fall of the Berlin Wall. ASO is expected to decide on the host of the 2029 Grand Départ in early 2027.
Tour director Christian Prudhomme praised the quality of the German proposal while stressing that the final decision has yet to be made.
“The bid that has been presented to us today is undoubtedly extremely attractive. We will examine it with the greatest attention, even though we had already received some initial information. It is an extremely convincing project,” Prudhomme said.
Prudhomme also highlighted the historical significance of the proposed start. “The Tour de France has always belonged where history is made - real, great history. If the Tour were to start in Berlin in 2029, it would become part of that history.”
The Berlin Wall anniversary makes the bid unique
According to Prudhomme, many cities and regions apply to host the Grand Départ, but Germany's proposal stands out because of its timing. “The difference with the German bid is that it is closely linked to the historic anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. That symbolic connection cannot simply be postponed to another date.”
He added: “I sincerely hope that we can work together on this project and make a dream come true that we all share.”
Elisabeth Kaiser, Germany's Minister of State and Federal Government Commissioner for Eastern Germany, described the anniversary as an important milestone for the entire country, saying that the achievements of the people of eastern Germany since 1989 deserve recognition and international attention.
The organisers estimate that a Berlin Grand Départ could attract around 12 million spectators and generate approximately €150 million in economic impact.
Mark Cavendish and Christian Prudhomme at the unveiling of the 2027 Tour de France Grand Depart in Edinburgh
Germany hoping for a fifth Grand Départ
The 2027 Tour de France will begin in Edinburgh, while the 2028 edition is scheduled to start in France's Champagne region. With another foreign Grand Départ planned for 2029, Germany hopes to secure the honour.
If successful, it would mark the fifth time the Tour has started in Germany, following previous Grand Départs in Cologne (1965), Frankfurt (1980), West Berlin (1987) and Düsseldorf (2017).
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
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