Lord Mayor Thomas Geisel received his colleague on the occasion of the "Tour-Summit" in the Grand Départ city of Düsseldorf

Four weeks after Tour de France-Director Christian Prudhomme presented the route of the 2017 Tour de France to the international public on October 18, 2016 in Paris, Lord Mayor Thomas Geisel welcomed his colleagues from the participant cities and regions to the "Tour-Summit" in the Düsseldorf Castle Tower today, November 14.

As a welcome Lord Mayor Thomas Geisel congratulated everyone present once more for the nomination as the Tour city and offered an outlook on the coming months: "As of today, the eyes of the cycling sports world will be focused on Düsseldorf as the host of the Grand Départ 2017. At the same time the cities, municipalities and districts through which the pros' route passes will be in the international limelight. This is an excellent opportunity to advertise the beauty of our region and the bicycle as an attractive means of transport.  And of course the Tour de France 2017, which kicks off in Germany once more after 30 years is also a strong signal for German-French friendship."

After the 1st stage, which will lead through the Düsseldorf inner city on July 1, 2017 as a time trial, the 2nd stage will also kick off on July 2, 2017 in the state capital.  After a tour through the nearby cities of Erkrath, Mettmann and Ratingen the route once again passes through Düsseldorf, a novelty in the history of the Tour de France. For the first time the "Great Loop" runs out of the starting line city and then runs back to it.

Subsequently, the route of the 2nd stage runs via Meerbusch, Neuss, Kaarst-Büttgen and Korschenbroich to Mönchengladbach.  The first sprint classification of the Tour 2017 will take place here.  The pro cyclists will cycle via the district of Heinsberg and the district of Düren with the town of Jülich and the municipalities of Titz and Aldenhoven through the urban region of Aachen with the towns of Alsdorf and Würselen toward the Cathedral City of Aachen. After a total of 206 kilometers the stage will finish in the Belgian city of Liège.

A great day for all German cities and municipalities which in this way become part of the greatest cycling sports event in the world.

"It's great that the Tour actually runs through three towns in the district of Mettmann. The Tour de France in Neander country- it will not only captivate sports aficionados in these three towns, but in the whole district. I already feel the joyful anticipation and of course the Neanderthal Museum at the core of the district will be the "in" meeting place for the spectators", says Thomas Hendele, County Commissioner of the district of Mettmann.

Christoph Schultz, Mayor of the city of Erkrath: "We are very pleased that the place of the discovery of the Neandertaler will be on the route of the greatest international sports event in 2017 and we want to create an air of excitement for the cyclists passing through with many enthusiastic spectators. Many citizens in Erkrath are happy that for a brief moment Neanderthal will be in the spotlight."

Thomas Dinkelmann, Mayor of Mettmann: "We are proud to be a Tour city. It is a great opportunity for the city, trade and hospitality. The citizens of Mettmann already enthusiastically followed the 'General Rehearsal' Race along the Rhine river this year. Our visitors as well as the international public will be able to experience this fantastic mood in Mettmann in the coming year."

Klaus Pesch, Mayor of Ratingen: "After 30 years the greatest cycling race in the world will once again kick off in Germany. For us in Ratingen the Grand Départ in Düsseldorf is a unique opportunity to participate in this special event and to present ourselves to an audience of millions. The Ratingen citizens are open-minded with regard to such events and are easily enthused."

Angelika Mielke-Westerlage, Mayor of Meerbusch: "We are delighted with the nomination of Meerbusch. This event is a great attraction for all citizens of Meerbusch and gives a positive kick to the image of Meerbusch. If you get the chance to bring the greatest cycling race in the world to Meerbusch, you have to grab it. Moreover, in 2017 we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of our city twinning with Fouesnant in Brittany."

Reiner Breuer, Mayor of Neuss: "For us, the Tour de France is the icing on the cake full of cycling sports events which have been held in our city in the past.  When the Tour de France runs through the Quirinus city the peloton will be cheered on by excited crowds. It's fabulous that the Tour is now coming to us. I am sure the citizens of Neuss will celebrate the Tour de France as a big folk festival."

Hans-Jürgen Petrauschke, County Commissioner of the Rhine District of Neuss: "The world of cycling sports is as colorful and international as our business site.  It is appropriate that the Tour de France runs through the Rhine District of Neuss, where cycling sports has successfully been at home for years. Many millions of people will see how attractive our region is and its high standards of livability."

Dr. Ulrike Nienhaus, Mayor of Kaarst: "The Tour de France is the most important annual major sports event in the world. It is a unique experience for our town that the route passes through Kaarst- the whole world as a guest in Kaarst! But also for our cycling sports bastion Kaarst-Büttgen and not least for our citizens the Tour de France is a special event."

Marc Venten, Mayor of Korschenbroich: "We look forward to this unique opportunity to bring such a high quality sports event to our city. In this way, we can present Korschenbroich as a bicycle-friendly local tourist destination and for the local companies the Tour de France is an event and an opportunity.  Those interested in cycling sports, dyed-in-the-wool Tour de France fans, but even citizens without any sports-related background will surely follow this major event with interest and support it."

Hans-Wilhelm Reiners, Lord Mayor of Mönchengladbach: "The Tour de France is a big media event and the impact of the Grand Départ in Düsseldorf with the route subsequently passing through Mönchengladbach and the sprint classification there will be positive for the image of the city. Mönchengladbach as an active, sports-loving and bicycle-friendly city are at the focus here. The citizens of Mönchengladbach look forward to being the host of the first sprint next year."

Wolfgang Spelthahn, County Commissioner of the district of Düren: "For the district of Düren it is a great honor to be part of the legendary Tour de France. Even if you are only mildly interested in sports you cannot escape the fascination of the most competitive cycling race in the world.  The Tour de France will attract many people from far and wide and be a boon to the economy here, especially to the tourism sector. And: Who wants to miss out on such an event if the next guest race is probably 25 years in the future?"

Axel Fuchs, Mayor of Jülich: "The Tour de France is an outstanding major event for our town. I assume that on July 2, 2017 everything in Jülich and the region will be about the Tour de France. The passing of the Tour de France through our town will have a great advertising effect for us. Many people in our town are already very much looking forward to the Tour passing through here. After all, it is something special when the great stars of the cycling sports scene ride by your own front door."

Alfred Sonders, Mayor of Alsdorf: "With the urban district of Alsdorf the Tour de France 2017 reaches an area that is always worth a visit. Coming from Jülich one looks from the flat Jülich  boerde  to the slag landscape park of Aachen-Nord. The energy landscape Anna, a nature experience area with the award-winning Energy Experience Museum Energeticon is at its center. Next to this the fantastic Boichbachtal with the free-entry zoological garden of Alsdorfer-Weiher, surrounded by 30 ha of woods and lakes. We look forward to welcoming the cycling pros next year and to showing our city to the world."

Arno Nelles, Mayor of Würselen: "We are pleased to support the city of Düsseldorf at the Grand Départ. As one of the cities on the route of the 2nd stage we will do everything to make it a successful event and media experience for the region."

Marcel Philipp, Lord Mayor of Aachen: "In the border triangle we live in a region that traditionally loves cycling sports. So the Tour de France is a perfect fit here. We are happy that the most famous cycling race in the world will pass through the Aachen old city quarters and the market square and hopefully many nice pictures of our city will go around the world. I am certain that our citizens will prepare a grand reception when the Tour de France passes through Aachen."