Although it hasn't yet been finalised that next year's Tour de France will visit the Dutch town of Valkenburg, the local council has already set aside money to cover some of the organisational costs. According to ANP, the council has allotted €150,000 that would be used to set up the finish of one stage and the start of the next. This will not be enough to meet the total estimated cost of €700,000, but the province of Limburg and the Libéma company are also likely to provide a significant contribution.
It's already known that the Tour de France will start in Strasbourg on July 1 in 2006, but it's probable that the July 4 stage will finish in Valkenburg. The cycling friendly town is also putting a bid in to host the 2008 World Road Championships, 10 years after hosting it previously. Valkenburg will be up against the Italian towns of Lucca-Viareggio and Varese, and a decision on where to host the 2008 World's will be made next Tuesday in Madrid.
