Germany officially bids for 2029 Tour de France Grand Départ to mark 40th anniversary of Berlin Wall fall

Now it's official: Germany is applying for the Grand Départ — the start of the Tour de France — in 2029. The so-called Bid Book, detailing the project, was handed over by German Cycling on Wednesday at the Jakob-Kaiser-Haus of the German Bundestag in Berlin to Tour Director Christian Prudhomme (65) and organizer ASO.

If Berlin, together with the states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, receives the nod, it would mark the fifth time the world's biggest bike race starts in Germany — following Cologne (1965), Frankfurt/Main (1980), West Berlin (1987) and Düsseldorf (2017).

Why 2029?

The bid targets 2029 to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

"40 years since the fall of the Wall are important, not just for Germany. Therefore, 2029 would be better than 2030. After all, the fall of the Wall was the trigger for German reunification, that's how many, many people see it," Prudhomme told BILD in March.

Originally, the German side sought to host the Tour in 2030 for the 40th anniversary of reunification, but Prudhomme advised aiming for 2029 instead. A decision on the bid is expected in spring 2027.

Handover in Berlin

Tour Director Christian Prudhomme (65/M.) has received the Bid Book. Photo: Christoph Soeder/dpa

Prudhomme expressed visible satisfaction that German Cycling followed his recommendation:

"The Tour de France is far more than a sporting event. It showcases landscapes, culture and history, connects people and gives regions the opportunity to present themselves to the world. 40 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, a Grand Départ in Berlin and Central Germany would have an extraordinary historical and symbolic significance, for Germany, for Europe and for Franco-German friendship."

Former Defense Minister and SPD leader Rudolf Scharping (78), honorary president of German Cycling and board member of the Grand Départ Allemagne association, added:

"A Grand Départ in 2029 would be far more than a sporting event. It offers the chance to thank the people who paved the way to freedom and German unity, and at the same time to honor the great cycling tradition, especially in East Germany. This connection of history, enthusiasm and future makes our bid special."

In 1987, the Berlin Wall still stopped Tour de France pros during their training ride. Photo: picture alliance/Augenklick/Roth

Present at the handover — sealed with a group photo in front of the Brandenburg Gate — were Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (53) and Minister-Presidents Michael Kretschmer (51/Saxony), Mario Voigt (49/Thuringia) and Sven Schulze (47/Saxony-Anhalt), all of the CDU.

Financing Concerns

Prudhomme told BILD: "I come from Alsace and therefore have a very special connection to Germany. Having the start of the Tour there again would make me very happy."

ASO will now examine the bid. Five-time Tour winner Tadej Pogacar (27) also hopes for a Grand Départ in his home country Slovenia towards the end of his career in 2029 or 2030. Prague has also submitted a bid but is considered to have little chance, at least for 2029.

Stage Plans Remain Preliminary

The Bid Book titled "Freedom in Motion". Photo: Christoph Soeder/dpa

Stage plans are only marginal at this stage. The website of the Grand Départ Allemagne association lists Dresden–Jena, Erfurt–Magdeburg, and a time trial from Halle to Leipzig. Berlin plays no role in these preliminary plans — but that is now considered a secondary concern.