A gruelling ascent of Belgium's famous Mur de Grammont will form part of the Grand Depart for the 2019 Tour de France as the event marks the 100th anniversary of the maillot jaune. 

The cobbled climb will feature on the first stage, which will also see riders travel across Flanders and Wallonia on July 6, with the race taking place 50 years on from home favourite and five-time winner Eddy Merckx's maiden Tour triumph.

On day two there will be a team time trial in the capital city of Brussels, giving the sprinters a chance to make their mark.

It will be the fifth time the race has started in Belgium, with the first stage clocking in at 192 kilometres. 

Team Sky's Chris Froome has topped the podium at the last three editions of the most famous Grand Tour.

However, the Briton is the subject of a UCI investigation after elevated levels of salbutamol – an asthma medication – were recorded in a urine sample taken during his victory at the Vuelta a Espana. 

The adverse finding does not necessarily constitute a break of the rules and Froome has not been handed a provisional suspension.