The Tour de France could start in eastern Germany in 2029, after the official bid was submitted. Rudolf Scharping, former defense minister and board member of the German candidacy, spoke about the project on the sidelines of the second stage of the Tour in Barcelona. He emphasized that the bid also includes Berlin as well as Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia.
“The bid has been submitted,” Scharping told ARD. He called the opportunity a “huge chance” to highlight the history of freedom and the fall of the Berlin Wall. The association “Grand Départ Allemagne,” part of the German cycling federation, is pursuing a historical approach with this initiative: 40 years after the fall of the Wall, the start of the world’s biggest bike race is intended to send a signal for a united Europe.
The bid by the Grand Départ Allemagne association has a historical character: 40 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the start of the world’s largest cycling race is planned to send a signal for a united Europe, according to the organizers. The association belongs to the German federation German Cycling – whose president Scharping was for 20 years.
Source: www.zeit.de
