The route has been announced for the Tour de France Femmes 2027 Grand Départ, which takes place from 30th July to 1st August in Great Britain, and will see riders take on the first team time-trial in the race’s history.

More on the routes of the three stages below, but in short: Stage 1 heads from Leeds to Manchester culminating on Deansgate where the first maillot jaune of the 2027 edition will be awarded; Stage 2 takes the peloton from Manchester to Sheffield for almost 3,000m of climbing in ‘probably the hardest stage in a Grand Depart we’ve ever seen’. Stage 3 then brings the first team time-trial in Tour de France Femmes history with a loop around central London finishing on the Mall.

Speaking at the presentation of the route – which will be the first time both men’s and women’s Tours have started in the same country outside of France – race director Marion Rousse said, ‘The team time-trial has always been one of the most exciting and spectacular formats in cycling, and we are very proud that the first one in the history of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will take place in London.’

British rider Cat Ferguson added her excitement for the event: ‘It feels like a full circle moment for me. I watched the men’s race in 2014 from the side of my home roads as a young kid, and now I hope to have the opportunity next year to line up and race in the peloton. I truly appreciate how far women’s cycling has come.

‘If I can inspire some women or young girls, even in a small way, to get out on their bikes, that would make me very happy. I know that UK fans will make this an unforgettable experience for all riders.’

Stage 1: Friday 30th July, Leeds – Manchester, 85.7km

The first stage begins on the Headrow, in central Leeds, just like the men’s Tour in 2014. The route then crosses into Kirklees and through Heckmondwike and Mirfield for the first Queen of the Mountains climb in the Côte de Kirkheaton (1.7km, 7.5%).

The race will then hit the Pennines for the second climb of Côte de Meltham (3.2km, 8.2%) in the north of the Peak District National Park before riding into Oldham. The Côte de Delph (2.1km, 6.3%), a feature of the men’s and women’s Tour of Britain, arrives just before the 20km to go mark. The finishing circuit is a familiar one from the Tour of Britain, entering Manchester and barrelling towards a fast finish on Deansgate.

Rousse said, ‘I remember watching Yorkshire in 2014 and seeing how many people lined the streets to support the Tour. It was a standout event in terms of the race’s history and we’re hoping for similar support in 2027. This is 86km in length and looks easy but it will be short, dynamic and tough… potentially a sprint to the line in short, splintered groups.’

Stage 2: Saturday 31st July, Manchester – Sheffield, 154.4km

Manchester hosts the start of Stage 2, which features almost 3,000m of elevation, heading through the Peak District and tackling Winnats Pass (1.4km, 12.3%) and Snake Pass (5.4km, 4.6%). The route greets Sheffield for some punchy action including the Côte d’Oughtibridge (1.5km, 9.1%) and the Côte de Jenkin Road (0.8km, 10.8%), which were both utilised for the men’s Tour in 2014. The stage concludes on Attercliffe Common, the same finish line where Vincenzo Nibali won in 2014, though that stage approached from the opposite direction.

Rousse described the day as ‘very, very, very hard. There’s not one single flat kilometre on this stage. This will be a battle, hard-fought with spectacular climbs. This is probably the hardest stage in a Grand Depart we’ve ever seen. It should be exceptional to watch and experience… the magic of the Tour will come to life.’

Stage 3: Sunday 1st August, London (TTT), 18km (approx)

The final day is the real jewel in the crown as the first team time-trial in Tour de France Femmes history. The TTT feels like somewhat of a lost discipline in women’s cycling but it kicks into life in 2027 in London. More information on the route is set to come later in the season, but the parcours should see teams pass by key landmarks such as the London Eye or Tower Bridge.

Rousse said, ‘There’s never been a TTT in this race and we made this choice as it’s a huge honour for us to come to a capital city like London. We wanted to create something that would allow us to spend the whole day in the city and embrace the landmarks. It will be a significant and historic moment.’

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan added, ‘I’m proud that London will host this historic moment for women’s cycling. Londoners and visitors will be lining the streets to cheer on the world’s best riders as they race through our capital, taking in some of our best-known landmarks before a triumphant finish on The Mall.

‘London is a cycling city, with 1.5 million bike trips a day last year, and this global sporting event will inspire the next generation of women cyclists and help build a better London for everyone.’

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