Scotland bids for Tour de France
Country to join global competition to host the tour's Grand Départ in 2017
SCOTLAND is preparing a bid to host the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in 2017.
The cycling race will begin this year in the Netherlands, having started in Monaco and London in previous years.
Tour organisers are fielding bids to host the start of the race from around the world including Japan, the Middle East and the United States.
EventScotland's chief operating officer, Paul Bush, said: "The Tour de France is an obvious fit for Scotland. We can certainly operate it logistically, we've got a fantastic cycling heritage, we've had fantastic cycling performances in the past few years and in terms of visual pictures for the Tour and challenges for the riders, it would be absolutely outstanding."
He added: "I went to London a couple of years ago and saw it and it blew me away – it was amazing," added Bush. "I would hope if we're successful in winning this bid in 2012 or 2013, it then gives us a three- or four-year run-in to develop a greater culture of cycling and then, when the Tour comes, it gives it an added boost."
The Tour de France is one of several high-profile sporting events that EventScotland wishes to see take place in Scotland, following Glasgow hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2014.
An exact route for the tour in Scotland has yet to be decided.
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Photo: Chelso Flores
