Cycling Ireland welcomes Ireland bid to host Tour de France opening stages in 2026 or 2027
Cycling Ireland welcomes the agreement between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland for a bid to host the opening stages of the Tour de France in 2026 or 2027.
Following talks between Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and Minister Gordon Lyons MLA, an expression of interest in the formal bidding process was submitted to Tour organisers on Wednesday.
Government officials from both North and South will now collaborate a detailed bid to host Le Grand Depart, with 2026 or 2027 targeted as years the island can host the grand tour.
Cycling Ireland welcome the planned bid and believe that hosting the world’s biggest bike race can help significantly improve the profile of cycling on the island of Ireland.
Cycling Ireland CEO Matt McKerrow said:
“Cycling Ireland welcome the news that the island of Ireland will bid to host le Grand Depart of the Tour de France. Bringing the world’s greatest cycling race to Ireland would be a testament to the sport’s growing popularity.”
“If successful, hosting the Tour de France can help bring the sport of cycling on the island to a wider national and global audience. Cycling Ireland looks forward to assisting government officials in the bidding process.”
The opening stages of the Tour de France were previously held in the Republic in 1998. The race began in Dublin, travelled through the Wicklow Gap, with stage three also ending in Cork.