The association Grand Départ Allemagne has officially submitted its bid for the 2029 Tour de France to start in eastern Germany. Former defence minister Rudolf Scharping confirmed this on the sidelines of the second stage in Barcelona.
The bid covers Berlin as well as the states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. Scharping described the project as a huge opportunity to tell the story of freedom and the fall of the Wall.
Forty years after the fall of the Wall, the race start is intended by the organisers to symbolise a united Europe. Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme had expressed openness in January to a possible start in the region and named Berlin as a central element.
Competitors include Slovenia and Prague. Scharping expressed optimism and hopes for clarification of financing by the end of the year with federal involvement.
