Portsmouth is one of the cities that are bidding to host the Grand Depart in 2019 which coincides with the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings.
If Portsmouth were awarded the privilege of hosting the opening of the Tour De France the stage would start in city and then end in its twin city Caen.
Britain is due another Grand Depart, the last time the UK began cycling’s most prestigious event was in 2014 when Yorkshire held a couple of stages.
Portsmouth has history with the Tour, in 1994 they held stage five, and later this year they are due to host a round of the Pearl Izumi Tour series which can aid their bid for the Tour De France in 2019.
Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme will visit Portsmouth soon
The man who oversees the Tour route, Prudhomme will visit Portsmouth soon to see if the city would be capable of hosting such a big event.
“It’s important there are links beyond cycling with the people,” Prudhomme said to Cycling Weekly.
“As soon as it is possible, we do it [historical link]. But first it’s sport so we can’t do that every year,” added Prudhomme.
Prudhomme said: “The UK is not only a market, it’s a big country. It’s a country with a passion for cycling and for the Tour. After [passion], it’s a market, and then a business. But first it’s a passion for cycling.
He continued, “What struck me is that people are proud when the Grand Départ takes place in their city, their region, their country. It was very, very strong in Yorkshire."
The Tour de France route director wants to see passion from Portsmouth to host the Grand Depart in 2019, saying: “It’s a question of passion. From the very first moment, you know if the people have a passion for cycling and for Le Tour.”
The UK has some of the most avid followers of the sport in the world, and when the Tour visited Yorkshire in 2014, the crowds that lined the route were just amazing.
“England is a country with a passion for cycling and for Le Tour. We were very impressed with all the people and all the passion. People were on their bikes in the UK, in London for example, much more than in Paris,” said Prudhomme.