The routes for the 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes Grand Departs in Britain have been revealed, marking a historic first for the women's race. Edinburgh will host the men's Grand Depart on 2 July, while Leeds will stage the women's Grand Depart on 30 July, the first time the women's race has started outside France.
The men's opening stage takes riders from Edinburgh to Carlisle via the Borders, followed by a Lake District stage from Keswick to Liverpool. Stage three features eight categorised climbs on a route from Welshpool to Cardiff. For the women's race, the first stage goes from Leeds to Manchester, the second crosses Snake Pass to Sheffield, and the third concludes in London.
Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme said the routes reflect Britain's diverse terrain, while Marion Rousse, director of the women's race, highlighted the ambition to grow women's cycling. British Cycling will recruit over 7,000 volunteers and launch a social impact programme called Joy.
The 2027 events are a collaboration between Tour owners ASO, British Cycling, UK Sport, and the UK, Scottish, and Welsh Governments. They promise to be the largest free sporting spectacle in British history, with ten host cities illuminated by yellow beams to mark the announcement.
