A Prague Grand Départ? - Czech Republic targets Tour de France Start in 2029

The Czech Republic is preparing a bid to host the Grand Départ of the 2029 Tour de France competing with Germany who have already emerged as a potential candidate. 

According to Sport.cz, the Czech proposal would see the race begin in Prague before travelling through Central and South Bohemia, showcasing landmarks including Karlštejn and Křivoklát castles, the chateaux of Červená Lhota and Hluboká, and the Šumava region.

The Grand Départ locations have already been confirmed through 2028. The UK will host the start in 2027 with three stages across Scotland, England and Wales. In 2028, the start will return to France, beginning in Reims and visiting several cities in the Grand Est region. 

Hosting the Grand Départ is estimated to cost the Czech Republic between CZK 550 million and CZK 750 million (€22 million–€30 million). 

Tour director Christian Prudhomme has already inspected the proposed Czech routes by helicopter and expressed enthusiasm, although accommodation capacity remains a potential challenge. 

The Czech government must approve an official bid before the country can formally enter the race.

Germany is also firmly in the mix. In March, representatives of the German bid revealed that Tour organiser Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) had expressed a preference for Berlin. 

The proposed start would coincide with the 40th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 2029, providing a strong historical theme. Berlin previously hosted the Grand Départ in 1987, when the city was still divided.

Germany initially considered a 2030 start in eastern regions without Berlin, but discussions with ASO meant that 2029 became a more realistic option. Slovenia has also been reported as another potential contender.