Germany submits bid to host 2029 Tour de France Grand Départ

Germany has officially lodged its application to host the Grand Départ of the 2029 Tour de France. The bid was confirmed by former defence minister Rudolf Scharping, who serves on the board of the German cycling federation German Cycling, during the second stage of the race in Barcelona. He said, “Die Bewerbung ist eingereicht. Es geht auch um Berlin und Sachsen, Sachsen‑Anhalt und Thüringen. Eine Riesenchance, um die Geschichte der Freiheit und den Fall der Mauer zu erzählen.”

The proposal, put forward by the organization Grand Départ Allemagne, aims to start the race in Berlin and run stages through Saxony, Saxony‑Anhalt and Thuringia, marking the 40th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and symbolising a united Europe. Funding discussions are ongoing, with hopes of securing support from the federal government in addition to the participating states, and a decision is expected by the end of the year. Tour director Christian Prudhomme has expressed openness to an eastern‑German start. Competing bids come from Slovenia and the Czech capital Prague, but Scharping remains confident that the German bid is the stronger one.