Tour kick-off 2030 in the east? Route planner knows nothing

Association President Dankowski: "One of the biggest cycling nations"

"We have to work at all levels to make something like this possible again," said Bernd Dankowski, President of German Cycling, to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. He sometimes has the impression that the bigger the event, the easier it gets. "We are qualified by the fact that we are one of the biggest cycling nations. The sport has regained popularity here after the difficult phases that lie behind us," Dankowski continued. However, the financial viability must be given, he said.

Because there is a lot of money involved. The ASO requires 100,000 euros from a start venue and 130,000 euros from a finish venue, explained route planner Gouvenou. However, the Grand Départ is much more expensive, also because of the many security precautions, which cost around 4.5 million euros. In addition, there are further financial expenses for the cities. The association anticipates costs of around 20 million euros, but expects high revenues for the regions of 150 to 200 million euros, it said in April.

Time trial from Halle to Leipzig

The plans are already quite concrete: the first stage could lead from Dresden to Gera with the steep wall of Meerane. One idea for the second stage is a time trial from Halle to Leipzig. A third stage could lead from Erfurt to Magdeburg.

Past Grand Départs abroad have taken place in Denmark, Spain and Italy. In 2026, the 113th Tour will begin in Spain with the opening stage in Barcelona, followed by the start in Edinburgh, Scotland.

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