It has been known for some time that the 2016 Tour de France will start from Mont-Saint-Michel. As usual, rumors are already floating about the Grand Depart for the 2017 edition and it has now come out that the city of Futuroscope is a possible option.

London was originally in the hot seat to attract the Grand Depart but the English captail have now abandoned those plans. The German city of Dusseldorf has widely been tipped as the favourite but after two foreign starts in Leeds and Utrecht, it is possible that we could have two French starts in a row. For its 30th anniversary, the city of Futuroscope has announced its intention to host the Grand Depart.

The second grand tour of the season has already started in Futuroscope in 1990 and 2000, each time with a prologue. Thierry Marie won the first time while David Millar was fastest 10 years later. The Vienne department has agreed to make a formal bid for the Grand Depart in 2017. According to the Department, the budget required is around two million euros. "One euro invested yields five euros in economic benefits,” Bruno Belin, Chairman of the County Council, explains. Three days of racing could take place in the department. However, race director Christian Prudhomme considers the application as coming "a little late.”