Welsh Government in talks to host Tour de France and Giro d’Italia

A Welsh Government minister has revealed that talks have been held with the organisers of the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia to bring the races to the country.

The news follows Cardiff’s successful hosting of the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Juventus on Saturday.

Recent years have also seen Wales host some London 2012 Olympic football matches and games in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, while golf’s Ryder Cup was held at Celtic Manor in 2010 and Cardiff is now established as a test cricket venue.

As well as the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia, the country is also seeking to bring golf’s Open Championship to Royal Porthcawl.

"I think there is great potential to host new major events that have not yet been to Wales," economy minister Ken Skates told BBC Wales.

"We have had productive conversations with the organisations behind these events."

In 2014, the Grand Depart of the Tour de France took place in Yorkshire followed by a stage from Cambridge to London while the Big Start of the Giro d’Italia was hosted by Northern Ireland, with the third stage of the race crossing the border for a finish in Dublin.

Both attracted huge crowds and have led to successful legacy events being established in the shape of the Tour de Yorkshire and the Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia Northern Ireland.

Mr Skates said: "Cycling events such as the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France are hugely popular and we have proved we can host major cycling events in Wales, I would like to attract more.

"We have been speaking to the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France and that would be really exciting," said Mr Skates.

Wales hosted the start of the Tour of Britain in 2015, when the race began on Anglesey, and this year’s edition will finish in Cardiff.

Since 2015, the capital has also hosted the start and finish of Velothon Wales, which comprises a UCI-sanctioned race and mass participation event.

The profile of cycling in the country has also been raised in recent years by the success of Welsh riders on the road and track including Nicole Cooke, Geraint Thomas, Owain Doull, Elinor Barker and Becky James.