GEOGRAPHY could be the only thing standing in the way of Scotland's bid to host the Tour de France's Grand Depart.
A proposal to take the Tour to Edinburgh and down the United Kingdom gathered pace at the week when officials travelled to Liege for the Grand Depart.
Representatives from British Cycling, UK Sport and EventScotland visited Belgium for talks with Amaury Sports Organisation, the Tour's organisers, proposing that Edinburgh would host the Grand Depart in 2017.
EventScotland international events director Stuart Turner said: "Our sales pitch hinges around Edinburgh being the most fantastic place they could ever do a Grand Depart.
"But it is a little bit further away from France than they would like. If Edinburgh was where London is we'd probably have shaken hands on a deal already. They absolutely loved Edinburgh."
Edinburgh Castle would host the presentation of the teams on the esplanade where the Military Tattoo is held, with the Old Town, including the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace and Holyrood Park, staging the opening prologue.
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