In a return to tradition, the 2025 Tour de France is set to commence from Lille, Northern France. This announcement indicates a significant homecoming for the prestigious cycling race, which, for the past three years, has launched from international locations.
The upcoming race will break the recent pattern of foreign starts, following the 2022 kick-off in Copenhagen, the Basque Country’s hosting in 2023, and the planned departure from Florence in 2024. The choice of Lille is a nod to the event’s history, reconnecting with its roots after a trio of global openings, a trend that has been expanding since the Tour’s first overseas start in 1954.
The pandemic had previously enforced a French-focused start for two consecutive years, with Nice and Brittany stepping into the spotlight for 2020 and 2021, respectively. Such back-to-back national starts had become an infrequent occurrence, the likes of which had not been seen in 15 years.
Lille and its surrounding regions, namely Hauts-de-France, the Nord Départment, and the Lille European Metropolis, are preparing to host the opening stages of the race. These initial segments are traditionally grouped within a single region, offering a cohesive commencement to the storied competition.
Speculation surrounding Lille’s candidacy had been brewing for some time, with local news outlets hinting at the possibility. The city’s close proximity to the iconic Paris-Roubaix race route, with its notorious cobbled paths and velodrome, suggests potential for an early race stage echoing the challenging terrain of the “Hell of the North.”
Moreover, there’s anticipation for a stage that could mirror the coastal ventures of the 2022 Tour, perhaps featuring Dunkirk or Calais. Such a stage would likely evoke memories of the spirited victory by Wout van Aert of Jumbo-Visma during the fourth stage of the 2022 race.
Lille is no stranger to the Tour de France limelight, having hosted the Grand Départ twice in the past — once in the year 1960 and then again in 1994. It also played a pivotal role in the 2022 race, presenting a stage that ventured toward Arenberg in a day reminiscent of a mini Paris-Roubaix.
Cyclists and fans alike can mark their calendars for November 30, when Lille will unveil the full details of the Grand Départ stages, setting the scene for what promises to be a memorable edition of the Tour de France. With its rich cycling heritage and enthusiastic embrace of the sport, Lille is gearing up to offer a grand beginning to the 2025 race, rekindling the Tour’s storied connection with its home country.