Copenhagen bids to host Tour de France start

Copenhagen, whose slogan is "the world’s greatest cycling competition meets the world’s best cycling city", hosted the cycling world championships in 2011.

Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme (center) is framed by Copenhagen mayor Frank Jensen (right) and Danish Growth Minister Troels Lund Poulsen at the presentation of Denmark's bid to host the Tour de France Grand Depart in Paris.

Denmark on Monday presented its bid for Copenhagen to host the start of the Tour de France sometime between 2019 and 2021.

“It’s a real challenge,” said race director Christian Prudhomme at a ceremony at the House of Denmark on the Champs-Elysşes in Paris.

“The Tour de France would never have been so far north. We’re going to carry out studies and examine it closely.”

The Danish delegation included Minister for Business and Growth Troels Lund Poulsen, and the Mayor of Copenhagen Frank Jensen, and outlined the project which could have three stages — Copenhagen-Copenhagen, Roskilde-Odense and Vejle-SŮnderborg.

“Of course there are other candidates but I like this bid in principle, because whatever happens it will help increase the link between everyday cycling and the cycling of champions,” said Prudhomme.

“More people use bicycles everyday in Copenhagen than in any other city in the world. We’re very proud to receive this bid, it shows that the Tour de France is a beacon.”

Copenhagen, whose slogan is “the world’s greatest cycling competition meets the world’s best cycling city”, hosted the cycling world championships in 2011.