The Tour de France, the world's most prestigious road cycling tournament, will depart from the Danish capital of Copenhagen in 2021, organizers announced on Thursday.

Denmark will become the 10th country, and the first Scandinavian country to host the northernmost Grand Depart of during the event's 108 years of history. 

The first three stages of the race will take place in Copenhagen and the southern part of the country.

"The Grand Depart in 2021 will be the biggest sport event in Denmark ever. We will use this unique opportunity to celebrate the Tour de France and our unique bicycle culture with the rest of the world," said Franck Jensen, Lord Mayor of Copenhagen.

The tournament director Christian Prudhomme pointed out that "in Copenhagen, we will meet fans who acclaim the champions of world cycling. The energy that supporters and curious locals will channel to riders, followers and viewers of the Tour will most assuredly be a great source of inspiration to succeed in our greatest challenge: seeing the future on a bike."

Tour de France has tended to start outside France every other year since 2000, with its Grand Depart in Belgium's capital Brussels this year, and next year's race will kick off in the southern French city of Nice.

(With input from Xinhua)