Tour de France 2030 to start in eastern Germany

13 years after the Tour de France last stopped in Germany, the world's biggest cycling stage race is to be held in East Germany. This project of the newly founded association "Grand Depart Allemagne" was approved by the Federal General Assembly of German Cycling (formerly Bund Deutscher Radfahrer) with an overwhelming majority and support was assured.

"It should be a big bang for the region," said Rudolf Scharping, honorary president of German Cycling since last weekend, at the presentation in Leipzig.

In the 40th year of German reunification, the Tour de France start with three stages should also succeed with a view to a common European future. The first stage could lead from Dresden to Gera via the Ore Mountains region with the legendary Steep Wall of Meerane as a symbolic location of the former peace ride. One idea for the second stage is a time trial from Halle to Leipzig. A third stage could lead from Erfurt to Magdeburg.

Financing plan: More income than expenditure

As things stand, the costs would amount to around 20 million euros. In return, the organizers anticipate income for the regions from tourism of 150 to 200 million euros. Thomas Hofmann, President of the Saxon Cyclists' Federation, emphasized that the financing would primarily be provided by business partners and other sponsors.

The association is also hoping for Leipzig-based Bundesliga soccer club RB Leipzig, whose main sponsor Red Bull already has a large cycling team of its own. The public sector, but above all sports funding, should not suffer as a result.

Declarations of intent from politicians have been received

The "Grand Depart Allemagne" association says it has received written declarations of intent for support from the three minister presidents of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. The next step is to present the project to Tour de France organizer Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) and enter into concrete negotiations.

Scharping sees the project as a promising opportunity, as the ASO has been organizing the Tour of Germany for years and also stages the major races in Frankfurt and Hamburg. The first talks are expected to take place by the summer.