Brussels' 2019 Tour de France route confirmed

Brussels will host two days of Tour de France action next summer, as more details are confirmed about the 2019 Grand Départ.

The Belgian capital was chosen last May to launch the 2019 Tour, to mark 50 years since Belgian cycling legend Eddy Merckx first won the famed race. The last time Brussels hosted the Grand Départ was in 1958 to coincide with the World's Fair.

The 2019 Tour will begin on 6 July with a 192km opening stage from Brussels to Charleroi and back. Riders will leave the capital via Molenbeek and Anderlecht before tackling the 9.2% ascent of the Muur van Geraardsbergen.

Spectators can then cheer the cyclists through Enghien, Braine-le-Comte, Seneffe, Courcelles, Gosselies, Genappe, Waterloo and Overijse as they head back to the city centre via Laeken.

The following day, 7 July 2019, sees a time trial starting outside the Royal Palace, passing the Cinquantenaire park, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Auderghem, Watermael-Boitsfort, the Bois de la Cambre, ULB, Etterbeek, Montgomery and up to Van Praet, Laeken and an Atomium finish.