London declines chance to host Tour de France Grand Depart
Friday 21 July 2017 13:06, UK
London has declined the opportunity to host the Tour de France Grand Depart in 2017, Transport for London has confirmed.
The capital was asked to host the world's most prestigious cycling race 10 years on from its successful staging of the Tour's prologue and first-stage start, and three years after hosting a stage finish of the 2014 edition which began in Leeds.
Leon Daniels, managing director of surface transport at TfL, said: "We have loved hosting the Tour de France in 2007 and 2014, both of which were amazing events that inspired thousands of new cyclists and showcased London as a world class city for cycling.
"We have always said that the return of the Tour was subject to funding.
"To ensure value for money we must make difficult choices, and on this occasion we have decided that we will not be hosting the Grand Depart in 2017."
The 2015 race, won by Chris Froome, started in Utrecht in the Netherlands and the 2016 edition begins in the Manche region, near Mont St Michel, in northern France.
Edinburgh and Manchester have also noted interest in hosting the Grand Depart and Tour organiser Amaury Sports Organisation is keen to exploit Britain's love of the sport.
It remains to be seen how London's decision impacts on ASO's plans to bring the race back to the UK in future.
