The Hague - The start of the 2015 Tour de France cycling event will take place in the Dutch city of Utrecht, the organisers said.
In 1954, Amsterdam was the scene for the Tour de France’s first start abroad. The 2015 edition will be the sixth time the peloton sets off from the Netherlands, after Scheveningen (1973), Leiden (1978), Hertogenbosch (1996) and Rotterdam (2010). More details on the “Grand Depart” in Utrecht will be revealed Nov 28 in Paris and Utrecht.
“The start of the Tour de France in Utrecht is good for the Netherlands, for the city, the region and good for the sport,” Utrecht mayor Aleid Wolfsen was quoted as saying by Xinhua Friday.
“It gives the opportunity to show Utrecht to an international audience. It will be a great party.”
Utrecht has been campaigning for a Tour de France start for 10 years. In 2010, the Tour organizers preferred Rotterdam over Utrecht. The Tour of 2014 will start in Leeds, England.
