Scotland is to bid to host the Grand Départ of the 2017 Tour de France.

Representatives from national events agency EventScotland have met with Tour organisers ASO about holding a showpiece time-trial.

London staged the opening prologue in 2007, while last year’s race kicked off in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The Tour will begin in Liège, Belgium in 2012 and is expected to start on the French island of Corsica in 2013. 

EventScotland chief executive Paul Bush said hosting the Grand Départ would cost approximately £5 million – but could be worth £100m to the Scottish economy.

“We think the event is a natural fit for Scotland with the history of the Auld Alliance and we’ve already had three meetings with the race organisers about a possible bid,” said Bush.

“The event would have a huge impact if it was held here. The Tour would probably be based in the host city for up to a week before the first stage started and the impact on the economy would be huge.

“We want to position Scotland as one of the best locations in the world to host an event over the next few years.

“There are some events, like the Olympics or the World Cup, that Scotland will never be able to host but we are trying to bring more events and the building of the Scottish National Arena for the Commonwealth Games will make a huge difference in attracting major events.

“To bring the Grand Depart Tour de France to Scotland – which is one of the greatest sporting events every year – in 2017 would be a huge coup.

“But there’s also been audacious and ambitious plans for the east coast of America, even the Middle East and Japan.”