Memorable Grand Départs Outside of France

For the fourth time in the race’s history, the first stage will be held in Germany, marking the Tour’s 22nd foreign departure. Cologne in 1965 was the first German Grand Départ and the third foreign start overall. Bernard Hinault claimed the 8-km Frankfurt prologue in 1980. West Berlin was the 1987 setting of the last German launch of la Grande Boucle.

Amsterdam 1954

The Tour’s first Grand Départ outside France started with 1953 champion Louison Bobet, who would go on to repeat, but without any Italians. That was of no concern to the tens of thousands of Dutch folk out all along the route into Brasschaat, where Wout Wagtmans proved a hugely popular home winner.

Luxembourg 1989

It was quite the scene at the start ramp of the 7.8-km prologue when defending champion Pedro Delgado missed his start time after having decided to extend his warm-up. The Spaniard had already won that year’s Vuelta a España as it ran from April to May. Delgado eventually started that first day of the Tour 2:40 late. At the end, he was at the bottom of the GC, 198th, and 2:54 behind stage-winner Erik Breukink. Delgado fought his way to third by Paris and would have been leading the Tour going into the final day’s time trial ahead of yellow jersey Laurent Fignon and eventual winner Greg Lemond if it hadn’t been for that Day 1 deficit.

Dublin 1998

The Grand Départ in Dublin is best remembered by British fans for Chris Boardman’s third Tour prologue success, which put him in yellow until he crashed out of the race on Stage 2. For many, Boardman’s accomplishment was upstaged by the notorious Festina Affair. The scandal began just days before the start and escalated into the sport’s biggest doping crisis during the course of the first week, almost totally overshadowing the Tour’s only visit to Ireland.

London 2007

Rain and floods finally gave way to warm conditions as the Tour visited Britain’s capital for the first time. Crowds packing the course that passed many of London’s most famous sights were estimated to be between one and two million. Most were cheering for local boy Bradley Wiggins to take the first yellow after the 7.9-km prologue, but it would be Fabian Cancellara out powering everyone. Wiggins placed fourth.