Vendee region to stage 2018 TDF start

Paris - France's west coast Vendee region will stage the 2018 Tour de France 'grand depart', organisers said on Sunday.

The Vendee, which last hosted the start of cycling's blue riband in 2011, follows Dusseldorf from where this year's race will begin.

Full details of next year's 105th Tour will be unveiled on February 28, race director Christian Prudhomme said.

The Vendee last started the race in 2011 with Australia's Cadel Evans taking the opening individual time trial honours.

The iconic Mont Saint Michel in Normandy was the backdrop for the start of last year's race with Dutch city Utrecht and Leeds in Yorkshire hosting the 2015 and 2014 starts.