Transport chiefs in London are said to be in talks to host the Tour de France Grand Depart again, according to The Standard. Transport for London are said to be backing a campaign to bring the race to London in 2017.
The city previously hosted the start of the race back in 2007, but with interest in the sport growing considerably in the UK since then, it could be expected to be a bigger draw than it was then, when an estimated three million people watched the race in the capital and in Kent.
Transport for London’s (TfL) outgoing commissioner Peter Hendy and TfL’s roads chief Leon Daniels are said to be behind the idea, and it is believed that talks have been held with the Tour’s organisers, the Amaury Sport Organisation. If it takes place, it would be the fifth time that the race would have visited the UK, having first visited during the 1974 Tour.
Last year’s Grand Depart in Yorkshire was an overwhelming success with an incredible number of spectators at the opening stages. The Tour also had a stage finish in London last year, before returning to the continent. If London does bid to host the start, it could possibly be competing against a bid from Germany. Ealier this year, General Director of the Tour de France, Christian Prudhomme, said that four German cities had expressed an interest in hosting the Grand Depart.
