Why does the Tour start in Denmark this year?

The start of the Tour de France, also known as the Le Grand Départ as mentioned, will take place in Denmark this year. The first three stages will also be held here. Now you might be thinking: that's odd, how can the Tour de France start in Denmark? To keep you from wondering any longer, this blog explains why the 2022 Tour de France begins in Denmark.

Why every year a different country as a starting place?

The reason the Tour de France starts abroad every year is to attract more international attention to the race. The start of the Tour de France abroad is therefore actually a publicity stunt. Before 1973, the race was only started abroad twice, including once in the Netherlands. After 1973, the tour was systematically organized abroad. 

Tour de France tradition

Around 1970, the number of visitors and viewers of the Tour de France declined. The organizers had to come up with something to put the Tour de France back on the map. In addition to more extreme routes, which were supposed to provide more spectacle, they also looked for ways to attract more international attention. That's why the organization decided to have the Tour start abroad. There was a lot of criticism and bickering within the organization. Some board members thought it was unacceptable for the Tour de France not to start in France. After all, starting outside France feels a bit odd for a race named after France. However, under pressure to attract more viewers, the decision was made in 1973 to organize the start abroad. Although it wasn't the first time the race started outside France, from 1973 onward the idea was to do this every year. In 1973, the Le Grand Départ took place in the Netherlands. This turned out to be a great success and so a new tradition was born.  

Denmark

The Tour de France will start in Denmark for the first time in 2022. The Tour was originally supposed to start in Copenhagen in 2021, but due to the Covid measures it was decided to keep the start in Brest. Like the Netherlands, Denmark is a cycling country. It is flat and green, which is why cycling is also woven into the culture of the Danes. This is one of the reasons for the organization of the Tour to start in Denmark this year. There is a lot of enthusiasm in Copenhagen, for example, the most famous bridge is shrouded in yellow. 

Start Tour de France 2023

The Tour de France will start in Bilbao, Spain in 2023. It is not yet clear how many stages will be ridden in Spain this edition. But with the high Pyrenees and dry hot plains, the start of the Tour de France in 2023 also promises to be spectacular.  

Tour de France Grands Départs in recent years

In which countries and places has the Tour de France started over the years? Below you can see a complete overview of the start of the Tour de France.