Danish start for 2021 Tour de France in Copenhagen

Denmark's capital has been chosen to host the Grand Depart of the 2021 Tour de France.

Copenhagen Mayor Frank Jensen and Tour de France Race Director Christian Prudhomme signed a 90 million kroner ($13.7 million) contract.

It will make Denmark the northernmost country to have hosted cycling's most prestigious race.

Spectators cheer the riders on as they ride toward the finish line of the Men Elite Road Race competition on September 25, 2011 in Copenhagen. [File Photo: AFP/JONATHAN NACKSTRAND]

The 108th edition of the Tour de France will begin with an individual time trial, followed by two more stages in Denmark before making its way to France.

Both Prudhomme and Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen noted that Denmark was picked because of the country's interest in the race.

Prudhomme also added that it was "obvious" that there would one day be a partnership between the "greatest cycling city in the world" and the "greatest cycling race in the world."

Figures from the Associated Press show there are an estimated 675,000 bicycles in Copenhagen, around 5.6 times the number of cars in the city.

Copenhagen hosted the UCI's Road World Championships in 2011.

This year's Tour de France will start in Brussels, Belgium to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first of Eddy Merckx's five titles.

The 2020 Tour is scheduled to depart from the southern French city of Nice.