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The start and finish locations for the 2027 Tour de France Grand Departs in the UK have been revealed, with men’s race director Christian Prudhomme declaring himself “emotional” at a return to Leeds, the site of the 2014 men’s Tour’s Grand Depart.The men’s race will take in Scotland, England and Wales across three days of varied racing – including a huge 223km stage from Keswick to Liverpool – while the women’s race, which also sees three stages in the UK, will begin in Leeds and culminate in London.
It will be the first time both Grand Departs have taken place in the same country, outside of France.
Prudhomme, speaking from a conference call at Leeds City Museum, said: “It’s really emotional for me to be back in Leeds after the huge success [of the 2014 men’s Grand Depart].
“I will always remember heading to Headrow, on July 5, 2014, three-and-a-half hours before the start of Stage 1 – there were so many people.
“It’s not only images and pictures, it’s a tunnel packed by noise, by sound, during two days in Yorkshire in 2014.
“Thanks to this success in 2014, thanks to London in 2007, we were very keen to be back in the UK.”
Marion Rousse, director of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, said of the 2027 women’s route: “The United Kingdom has played an important role in the history of women’s cycling, with champions such as Lizzie Deignan.
“Starting the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in Leeds is a strong choice, closely linked to this heritage and to the enthusiasm of a public that knows and loves the Tour.
“These stages clearly reflect the race’s ambition: to continue growing women’s cycling and to inspire future generations.”
Men’s Tour de France route
TDF 2027 route, UK – menImage credit: Other AgencyFriday 2 July | Stage one: Edinburgh to CarlisleSaturday 3 July | Stage two: Keswick to Liverpool Sunday 4 July | Stage three: Welshpool to Cardiff
From Edinburgh the opening stage will head through Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, tackling the day’s sole king of the mountains climb on the Côte de Melrose amidst the Eildon Hills.
Tracing the Scottish/English border along Liddesdale, the route briefly dips into Dumfries & Galloway before crossing into Cumberland, where the opening stage finish awaits in Carlisle, outside the city’s medieval castle.
The second stage will begin in Keswick in the heart of the Lake District National Park, heading south alongside Thirlmere, Grasmere, Rydal Water and Windermere and skirting the Morecambe Bay coastline, before heading to the Lancashire fells via Lancaster and the Côte de Jubilee Tower.
The undulating route includes a further four categorised climbs on the edge of Pennines before entering the Liverpool City Region, for the stage finish on The Strand in Liverpool, under the watchful gaze of the Three Graces.
The third and final day of the Tour de France 2027 Grand Depart will take place in Wales, for a challenging leg south from Welshpool in Powys to the finish in Cardiff.
Eight categorised climbs line the route, with six in the final 80 kilometres of racing as the race wends its way through and over the south Wales valleys.
These include the Cote de Rhigos and the popular Cote de Caerffili in the closing kilometres that will likely be decisive in the deciding the stage victor in Cardiff and the destination of the final yellow jersey to be presented on British shores in the men’s race.
Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift route
TDF Femmes avec Zwift 2027 route – womenImage credit: Getty ImagesFriday 30 July | Stage one: Leeds to Manchester Saturday 31 July | Stage two: Manchester to Sheffield Sunday 1 August | Stage three: London
A month on from the start of the Tour de France men’s race, Leeds, Sheffield and London will make history as they join Paris and Rotterdam in hosting the Grand Departs of both the men’s and women’s races.
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift begins in Leeds for an opening stage, travelling west and over the Pennines to Manchester.
Racing resumes a day later from Manchester for a stage through the Peak District National Park to Sheffield, with the peloton expected to pass through some of the most famous climbs, including the Côte de Snake Pass.
London will provide a spectacular finale when stage three visits the capital on Sunday 1 August.
More details of the London stage of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift are set to be announced in the spring.
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