High ranking politicians on both sides of the border are pursuing a joint North-South bid to host the opening three stages of the 2026 or 2027 Tour de France.
Ireland hosted the Le Grand Départ in 1998 - when it cost the Irish Government £2m at the time for the privilege - and today an expression of interest in a formal bid has been made to Tour organisers.
Minister for Sport Catherine Martin and Minister for the Economy Gordon Lyons MLA made the joint bid after meeting last week in Belfast and now officials in both departments will work together to compile a detailed bid to host the event.
