Luxembourg's Minister for Sports, Romain Schneider, this Wednesday announced the route the Tour de France 2017 will take through Luxembourg this summer.
Originating in Verviers in Belgium, on 3 July the third stage cuts through Luxembourg on a north-south axis from Schmëtt to Esch-sur-Alzette, finishing up with a steep climb to Longwy that evening.
The 202km-long stage takes the riders on a 115km-stretch through 18 Luxembourg municipalities, including Huldingen, Wincrange, Wiltz, Esch-sur-Sûre, Eschdorf, Grosbous, Tuntange, Dondelange, Dippach, Schouweiler, Mondercange and Schifflange.
The next day, the fourth stage takes the 22 teams on a short parkour through southeast Luxembourg, starting off at Mondorf-les-Bains then passing through Schengen, en route to Vittel in eastern France.
The 11km leg from Mondorf-les-Bains to the border with France is just the beginning of another gruelling 203km stretch. Only five other stages of the 21-stage, 3,500km long race from Düsseldorf to Paris are as long or longer.
The route was announced by the Minister, together with Francine Closener, Secretary of State for the Economy, and Lex Delles, Mayor of Mondorf-les-Bains. Ms Closener emphasised the benefits the Tour brings to Luxembourg, not only in the immediate but also in the longer term.
“Beyond the economic outcomes for the hospitality industry, the Tour offers a great opportunity to promote Luxembourg as a tourism destination with an intact, diverse environment and a rich heritage with numerous castles,” she explained. “It’s as much about showing that Luxembourg is a nation for cyclists as it is about showing that we are able to host large sporting events.”
To follow the routes through Luxembourg, follow this link.
Photo by Nicky Sullivan: Minister Romain Schneider presenting the Mondorf stage of the Tour de France 2017
