The German public broadcasting group ARD (Das Erste) and Tour de France-owner Amaury Sport Organisation have signed an agreement concerning the broadcast of the Tour de France in 2015 and 2016.

According to the agreement, ARD will broadcast all stages of the Tour de France live on its channels in 2015 and 2016.

Commenting on the return of Tour de France to public television in Germany, Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme told Roadcycling.com "Germany is a major country in the world of cycling. I remember the wonderful popular success we met with in 2005 when the Tour de France last visited the country. Today, German cycling boasts two first-rate teams and a generation of consummate and talented riders, such as Marcel Kittel, André Greipel and Tony Martin. Indeed, these three riders have won 18 stages over the last 4 editions of Le Tour."

"I am delighted that, thanks to ARD's television channels, the German public will now be able to follow the Tour de France on German public TV, unencrypted, daily and live for the next two years."