Scotland to bid for Tour de France

Published on Saturday 8 January 2011 14:49

SCOTLAND is about to mount an audacious bid to host a stage of the world-famous Tour de France cycle race for the first time.

Either Glasgow or Edinburgh would be the home venue for the pre-race time trial and the start of the first phase of the Tour following three years of talks with organisers. The race route may link the two cities or head as far north as the Trossachs.

Scotland's national events agency, EventScotland, said 2017 was likely to be the next opportunity to host the opening of the Tour outside mainland France after Corsica was announced as a host in 2013. Previously, stages of the world famous event have been held in England in 1974, 1994 and 2007, with Ireland hosting a stage in 1988.

The director of the Tour de France, Christian Prudhomme, has indicated that there is a real possibility of the prestigious event starting in Scotland. Prudhomme said that the "London effect" - had opened his mind to the possibility of the prestigious "Grand Dpart," moving to ever more far-flung destinations.

It is likely to cost Scotland around 5 million to host the event, with the Scottish Government being asked to meet the majority of the cost, but the economic impact is expected to be around 100m.

Although 180 riders will race, the number of support teams and race officials mean plans to transport more than 4,000 people and vehicles to France need to be drawn up. Special trains may have to be chartered if a bid succeeds.

Paul Bush, chief executive of EventScotland, confirmed a bid is being drawn up. He said: "We think the event is a natural fit for Scotland with the history of the Auld Alliance and we've already had three meetings with the race organisers about a possible bid.

"The event would have a huge impact if it was held here. The tour would probably be based in the host city for up to a week before the first stage started and the impact on the economy would be huge."

The Tour de France is one of several blue-riband events in EventScotland's sights as it attempts to build on Glasgow's success in winning the right to host the Commonwealth Games in four years' time.

The MTV Europe Music Awards, the Brit Awards, the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards, world boxing bouts and the ATP Tennis Tour are all on hit lists drawn up by EventScotland, the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and the SECC in Glasgow, which is behind plans for the 13,500-capacity Scottish National Arena due to open in the spring of 2013.

Official bids are also in the pipeline for Scotland to host the World Gymnastics Championships, the World Orienteering Championships, the World Curling Championships and the European Equestrian Championships post-2014.

Bush said: "We want to position Scotland as one of the best locations in the world to host an event over the next few years.

"There are some events, like the Olympics or the World Cup, that Scotland will never be able to host but we are trying to bring more events and the building of the Scottish National Arena for the Commonwealth Games will make a huge difference in attracting major events."

The tour would probably be based in the host city for up to a week before the first stage started and the impact on the economy would be huge."

The Tour de France is one of several blue-riband events in EventScotland's sights as it attempts to build on Glasgow's success in winning the right to host the Commonwealth Games in four years' time.

The MTV Europe Music Awards, the Brit Awards, the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards, world boxing bouts and the ATP Tennis Tour are all on hit lists drawn up by EventScotland, the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and the SECC in Glasgow, which is behind plans for the 13,500-capacity Scottish National Arena due to open in the spring of 2013.

Official bids are also in the pipeline for Scotland to host the World Gymnastics Championships, the World Orienteering Championships, the World Curling Championships and the European Equestrian Championships post-2014.

Bush said: "We want to position Scotland as one of the best locations in the world to host an event over the next few years.

"There are some events, like the Olympics or the World Cup, that Scotland will never be able to host but we are trying to bring more events and the building of the Scottish National Arena for the Commonwealth Games will make a huge difference in attracting major events."

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