Road cycling’s finest will begin their quest for the maillot jaune outside of France in 2027, with the Grand Départs of the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes confirmed to take place in Great Britain – signifying a historic first for both races. 

The occasion will mark the first time both tours have started in the same nation outside of France, with the 114th edition of Tour de France set to get underway in Edinburgh on 2 July, followed by the start of the Tour de France Femmes in Leeds on 30 July (Friday). 

It’ll be the third time the men’s peloton has visited Great Britain since 2007, when the Grand Départ was staged in London – host city of the Olympic Games London 2012. 

The race will begin with a relatively flat stage from Edinburgh (Scotland) to Carlisle (England), followed by a scenic, yet gruelling, traverse of the English Lake District en route to Liverpool – terrain ideal for an opportunistic breakaway. 

The third stage will feature a brutal slog through Welsh coal country from Welshpool to Cardiff, including a tricky 2km (8.1%) climb only 12km from the finish. From there, the men’s peloton will head to their traditional stomping grounds in France. 

But that won’t be the end of cycling action in the British Isles, as the Tour de France Femmes visits England for the first time in 2027, beginning with a long and fast stage from Leeds to Manchester on Friday, 30 July. 

The women’s peloton will then make their way across some hilly terrain on the way to Sheffield, before travelling to London for a mostly urban stage set in the British capital itself, before crossing back over the English Channel into France. 

The races will be the largest free-to-watch sporting events hosted by Great Britain in 2027. With both tours expected to draw massive crowds, anticipation is already building amongst the British cycling community.

“To know that both the men’s and women’s races will start here in 2027, and especially that the women will come to my home roads of Yorkshire, is truly special,” stated London 2012 women’s road race silver medallist Lizzie Deignan. 

“This is a huge moment for the sport and an opportunity that will inspire countless women and girls to get on their bikes.”