London turns down the chance to host the Tour de France’s Grand Depart in 2017.
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The British capital was successful ahead of Edinburgh, Manchester plus several German regions.
Speaking of the decision to decline hosting duties in 2017, Leon Daniels, managing director of surface transport at TfL, said hosting the events in 2007 and 2014 had been “amazing”, and that thousands of new cyclists had been inspired.
But last week, a day before contracts were meant to be signed, Transport for London (TfL) said it was pulling out.
The French company Amaury Sport Organisation, which owns the race, are apparently unhappy with the decision.
The 2007 Grand Départ, which had a Prologue in London and a road stage from the capital to Canterbury, cost a similar amount and brought in spectator spend of £65.6 million in London alone, according to a report commissioned by TfL.
“We have always said that the return of the Tour was subject to funding”.
The report said a quarter of everyone living in the Yorkshire and the Humber region came out to watch and the Tour attracted 113,000 visitors from outside the United Kingdom, generating £33 million into the United Kingdom economy.
The costs of the 2017 Grand Depart have been estimated at £30 million; so without £16m coming from outside sources, TfL’s shortfall after any direct profit from the even might perhaps have beeen as high as £20m or more.
With the possibility of major cuts to transport spending across the United Kingdom, it is believed TfL and the Greater London Authority, decided the city could not afford a third visit from the Tour.
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London has turned down the opportunity to host the Grand Depart of the 2017 Tour de France, withdrawing its interest after reportedly being given the go-ahead by race organiser ASO.
