Plans to host the Tour de France Grand Départ in the Czech Republic have taken a significant step forward after the National Sports Agency (NSA) announced the formation of a dedicated working group. The group will explore all the logistics and financial implications of bringing the world’s most famous bike race to the country, with the earliest feasible date being 2029.
The idea was first raised during a meeting attended by Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová, Prague mayor Bohuslav Svoboda, South Bohemia governor Martin Kuba and Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme. Following that meeting, Prudhomme gave his approval for the Czech side to create a formal committee, which NSA chairman Ondřej Šebek has now put together.
The seven-strong working group includes former pro rider Roman Kreuziger, who now works as a sports director for Bahrain Victorious, as well as Martin Kuba, Czech Cycling Federation vice-president Robert Kolář, L’Étape Czech Republic chief Přemysl Novák, Prague councillor Antonín Klecanda and CzechTourism director František Reismüller.
“We had a meeting recently with the prime minister, the speaker of the house, the mayor of Prague, the governor of South Bohemia, a representative of the federation and Christian Prudhomme,” Šebek told ČT sport, as reported by Česká Televize. “Prudhomme told us that it was necessary to establish a group with the mandate to negotiate. I was then tasked with putting the working group together. Our task now is to assess what would be required of us – technical, logistical and financial – and we aim to present the full plan to the Tour organisers by October next year. Putting the group together is an important step toward turning this dream into a reality.”
Kreuziger is enthusiastic about the prospect. “I’m honoured to have been selected for this commission,” he said. “Bringing the Tour de France here would benefit us in every way, and I’m convinced we can do this successfully.”
A Grand Départ on Czech soil would involve three stages starting in Prague before heading south into picturesque hills, showcasing the region’s scenery. “ASO sees Prague as the ideal starting point and then moving south, ideally into beautiful hills, so we can get attractive drone footage,” explained South Bohemia governor Martin Kuba. “This plan has been going for around 18 months already and I’m proud we’ve moved it to this stage. Hosting the Tour would be incredible promotion for the country, which has huge tourism potential, and that would mean economic benefits too.”
Novák, the driving force behind L’Étape Czech Republic, agrees. “My dream has always been to one day bring the real Tour de France to this country,” he said. “Over the last three or four years, I’ve been gathering as much information as I could. The debate is no longer about whether we want it, it’s about how to make the most of it.” Novák added that the ASO is genuinely interested. “They’re always looking for new places. They’re a strong brand and they want to go where they haven’t been before. That’s why we believe 2029 or 2031 is most likely.”
The timing is also practical. “2028 will definitely start in France because of the Olympics,” Šebek explained. “We know that Slovenia is also hoping to host the start in 2029 because of Tadej Pogačar. That means the most realistic options for us are 2029 and 2031. It’s still some way off, but knowing that this far in advance will help us plan properly and make sure we have the national support to make this happen.”
