The city of Portsmouth are to bid to stage the Grand Depart of the 2019 Tour De France.
The Portsmouth News are reporting that Portsmouth want the start of the 2019 race to co-incide with the 75th anniversairy of the D-Day Landings.
ASO's Christian Prudhomme told The News: ‘It’s a question of passion. "From the very first moment, you know if the people have a passion for cycling and for Le Tour.
"England is a country with a passion for cycling and for Le Tour. We were very impressed with all the people and all the passion. People were on their bikes in the UK, in London for example, much more than in Paris.
"In 2014 the plan was not to start in Yorkshire, the plan was for 2016 or 2017, but the reason was because of Bradley Wiggins’ victory.
"Our answer after that was to start the Tour as soon as possible from the UK.
"We have a bid from Portsmouth and Gary Verity wants to have a second Grand Depart from Yorkshire.
"It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when but I don’t know right now.
"We have many bids from France and abroad. I’ve just received two letters, they want us to go to Portsmouth.
"I like the idea of the D-Day anniversary. It’s important there are links beyond cycling with people. Of course I’d be interested in a visit to Portsmouth – it’s just a question of agenda. We will go there to see it. I went there as a student in the summer of 1980 and I liked it."