Germany the favorite to host Grand Depart

Having beaten Edinburgh, Manchester and several German regions to host the Grand Depart, London has now rejected the opportunity.

London hosted the opening of the Tour de France in 2007 and the finish for the third stage of the 2014 Tour, which began in Leeds. However the race won't be returning in two years time, according to Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport at Transport for London, who are reported to have pulled out a day before contracts were due to be signed.

"We have loved hosting the Tour de France in 2007 and 2014, both of which were amazing events that inspired thousands of new cyclists and showcased London as a world class city for cycling," Daniels said. "To ensure value for money we must make difficult choices, and on this occasion we have decided that we will not be hosting the Grand Depart in 2017."

Having been a losing bidder, Germany's regions are now being considered favorites to host the event. Germany has not hosted a stage of the Tour since 2005. But the Scottish city of Edinburgh and English city of Manchester have both also renewed interest in taking on the Grand Depart.

The 2015 race, won by Chris Froome, started in Utrecht, Holland and next year's edition begins in the Manche region, near Mont St Michel, in northern France.

apc/rd (AFP)