Czech Republic targets 2029 Tour de France Grand Départ with Prague at heart of ambitious bid
Cycling
The Czech Republic is preparing a bid to bring the Tour de France to its roads in 2029, with Prague set to anchor a proposed three-stage opening that would showcase the country's historic landmarks and southern regions. However, the government must still give the project its final approval, while Germany and Slovenia are also interested in hosting the race's Grand Départ.
According to Czech outlet Sport.cz, the proposed route would begin in the Czech capital before heading through Central and South Bohemia, taking in castles, chateaux and the Sumava region near the German border.
Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme has already inspected the proposed routes by helicopter and reportedly reacted positively to the plans. Accommodation capacity remains a concern, however, given the scale of the event and the number of people who travel with the race.
The financial commitment would also be substantial. The estimated cost of hosting the opening three stages ranges from €22 million to €30 million.
The Czech proposal comes as ASO assesses potential destinations for 2029. Germany has already submitted an official bid centered on Berlin and eastern German regions, while Slovenia has also been discussed as a possible host.
Mark Cavendish and Christian Prudhomme at the unveiling of the 2027 Tour de France Grand Depart in Edinburgh
Prague opening followed by stages through South Bohemia
The Czech working group's proposed itinerary would offer three contrasting stages, beginning with a route designed for riders suited to one-day classics. The opening stage would start at Prague's Old Town Square, pass near Karlštejn and Křivoklát castles, and finish in the historic center of the capital after approximately 188 kilometers.
The second stage would begin in Tábor and cover around 208 kilometers, passing through Bechyně and the Česká Kanada area before reaching the chateau at Hluboká. A sprint finish is planned in České Budějovice, giving fast finishers an opportunity to contest a stage victory.
The third day would move further south, starting in Český Krumlov and passing Rožmberk Castle, the monastery at Vyšší Brod, Prachatice and Vimperk. The proposed 174-kilometer stage would finish in Kvilda, in the Šumava mountains, providing a more demanding conclusion to the Czech opening.
The route remains a proposal. Its designers, including former professional rider Roman Kreuziger, have sought to offer a varied opening that would appeal to different types of riders while presenting a broad picture of the country beyond Prague.
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Germany and Slovenia remain in contention
Germany represents a significant rival. Its bid was formally submitted to ASO on July 29, 2026, by German Cycling, with backing from the federal government and the states of Berlin, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. The proposal is built around the 40th anniversary in 2029 of the Peaceful Revolution and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Berlin previously hosted the Tour's Grand Départ in 1987, when the city was still divided. Returning in 2029 would give the German bid a strong historical theme, linking the race to the anniversary of German reunification and the political changes that reshaped Europe.
Slovenia is another potential contender, with the prospect of featuring the home country of four-time Tour winner Tadej Pogacar adding sporting appeal. The country's government has continued discussions with Prudhomme about the possibility of hosting the race.
For the Czech Republic, the next step is political approval. The government must authorize an official application before the country can formally pursue the Grand Départ.
The timing of the 2029 decision is approaching as attention turns to the next edition. On October 22, ASO unveiled the complete route for the 2027 Tour de France, which will begin in Edinburgh before three stages across Scotland, England and Wales. The 2028 Grand Départ is scheduled to return to France, with Reims set to host the opening.
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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- That's what y'all said this year, "remco will come fifth"bruins3022-10-2026
- That used to be the norm, 100 kms of TTs. Now look at the '87 route...acem8222-10-2026
- Well, crashes can happen, so it's not impossible...acem8222-10-2026
- that would be kinda cool. there is a lot of untapped potential. which I'm sure the UCI will overlook. in order to get sock length correct.mij22-10-2026
- Nice! Now Remco can finally show that he cannot win the Tour!!! 😂😂😂PogiSloFans22-10-2026
- Nice! Now Remco can finally show that he cannot win the Tour. 😂PogiSloFans22-10-2026
- 10 K or 100k , Pogi will gain the same amount of time on Remco No balls in 1 stage. All this shows is that they have run out of ideasabstractengineer22-10-2026
- BenAflec, good one! LOL!MajorPayne22-10-2026
- Nearly! LOL!MajorPayne22-10-2026
- What the tdf have done here is make a very intriguing route, Pog by nature is more at home on the mountains, Remco TT's, Seixas an all-rounder.. RE, nearly got the better of Pog this yr & they've capitalised on that!
leedorney22-10-2026
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