The government council--a meeting of all cabinet ministers--on Friday gave the go-ahead for (LSAP) to engage in talks with the Tour de France organisers. The minister at the start of July had said he is from the government to begin discussions.

The minister is eyeing 2027 as a potential date, marking the 100th anniversary of Luxembourg cyclist Nicolas Frantz winning the tour. The following year would mark the 100th anniversary of Frantz’ second win as well as 70 years since Charly Gaul won the Tour de France in 1958.

The ministry in a press release called the dates “predestined to welcome the passage of the Tour de France in the grand duchy of Luxembourg”, adding however that is open to any other suggestions for a date from the organisers.

The Tour de France has visited numerous countries outside of the country over the years, kicking off in Copenhagen for its 2022 edition. The grand duchy last hosted the Tour de France in 2017 after the race opened in the country in 2002 and 1989.

Engel would like a stage finish or departure to be scheduled in Luxembourg.

Local cyclist Bob Jungels (AG2R-Citroën) meanwhile finished 12th in this year’s edition of the Tour de France on Sunday after winning the race’s 9th stage. Also from Luxembourg, Kevin Geniets (Groupama-FDJ) finished 48th in his first Tour de France out of 135 cyclists, ranking seventh in the young riders category.

Alex Kirsch (Trek-Segafredo) on the other hand had to abandon the tour during the sixth stage.

Christine Majerus (SD Worx) on Sunday embarked on the women’s Tour de France, which returned after a 33-year hiatus and continues until the end of the month.

(Additional reporting by Didier Hiégel)