Amsterdam hosted the first Tour de France Grand Départ outside France in 1954.
The 41st Tour began in Amsterdam on 8 July 1954, marking the race’s first start beyond French territory. Its opening stage ran 216 kilometres from Amsterdam to Brasschaat in Belgium, immediately making the event international from its first day.
The 1954 Tour covered 4,656 kilometres across 23 stages and finished in Paris on 1 August. Dutch rider Wout Wagtmans won the opening stage and became the first Dutchman to wear the yellow jersey. Louison Bobet ultimately won the overall race, the second of his three consecutive Tour victories.
Brussels is a common mix-up because Belgium hosted the 1958 Grand Départ. Amsterdam’s 1954 start established the model for later foreign departures, which have since taken place in cities across Europe and beyond.