Share

2019 TDF to honour 1st victory of Merckx's

Brussels - The 2019 Tour de France will start with two stages in and around the Belgian capital Brussels in a tribute to Eddy Merckx, race organiser Christian Prudhomme confirmed on Tuesday.

The first stage will be 192km, setting off from the city's Royal Museums of Fine Arts and taking in the Lion's Mound on the battlefield of Waterloo, the home town of football star Eden Hazard and the Mur de Grammont, a steep climb used on the Tour of Flanders.

The following day will see a 28km team time-trial from the Royal Palace to the Atomium, one of the city's most famous landmarks.

The 2019 Tour will mark 50 years since Belgian great Merckx first took the overall race leader's yellow jersey on home soil at Woluwe-Saint-Pierre near Brussels, where his parents ran a grocery shop.

Now 72, Merckx, nicknamed The Cannibal, won that year's Tour de France and went on to win it a record-equalling five times overall, the last in 1974.

"It was important to start in the home city of the champion who has worn the yellow jersey more times than anyone else," said Prudhomme.

The 2019 Tour will mark 100 years since the introduction of the yellow jersey.

Brussels previously hosted the 'Grand Depart' of the Tour de France in 1958.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2250 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE