Could Prague Host the Tour de France Grand Départ in 2029?

Prague has submitted a bid to the Tour de France to host the Grand Départ in the future. Last week, ASO director Christian Prudhomme traveled to the Czech Republic to receive the Czech capital’s candidacy.

A delegation from the Czech team behind the bid presented the plan to Prudhomme to organize three stages in the Central European country. The Grand Départ would take place in the capital, Prague. The aim is for a Tour de France start in the Czech Republic in 2029 or later. The car manufacturer Škoda is said to be one of the driving forces behind the bid.

"It is a very good candidacy," Prudhomme said according to the Czech media present. "Prague is a beautiful city and the Czech Republic knows how to organize major events. We are carefully examining this candidacy."

Luxembourg and Slovenia
Last season, the Tour de France started in Lille in northern France. Next year, the race will begin in Barcelona, and in 2027 the Grand Départ is scheduled to be in Edinburgh, Scotland. After that, it is still unclear where the Tour de France will start. Luxembourg is in the running for 2028, although several French regions reportedly oppose three consecutive foreign starts.

Regarding the 2029 Grand Départ, Prague has a competitor in Slovenia, which proposed a plan last summer to start in Ljubljana.