Dusseldorf has again indicated its willingness to host the start of the Tour de France in 2017. "If we get the nod, it would be a great opportunity for our sports city of Dusseldorf. In my opinion, our chances are not bad," said Mayor Thomas Geisel. However, the city council is yet to give the green light which is expected to happen on November 5..

The North Rhine-Westphalian state capital would be the fourth Germany city to host the Grand Depart after Cologne (1965), Frankfurt am Main (1980) and West Berlin (1987).

Should the Tour organizers decide against Dusseldorf for 2017, the application will be maintained "for the following years" said the city administration. The task is not cheap: in fees alone the costs for the three-day event are estimated to be around four million euro.

Ten years ago, the Tour de France last visited Germany and the cities of Karlsruhe and Pforzheim. Millions watched from the roadside.