Mayor urges people to get behind Tour de France Femmes as 2027 route confirmed

The Mayor of the East Midlands is urging people across the region to get behind the Tour de France Femmes after the full route through Derbyshire and the Peak District was unveiled in Paris.

Mayor Claire Ward was among the special guests at the announcement of the 2027 route, which confirmed details of the race’s second stage on Saturday 31 July. Riders will cycle from Manchester to Sheffield – tackling some of Derbyshire’s best-known climbs along the way.

The full announcement of both the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift marks the next step towards the historic 2027 Grands Départs, as Britain becomes the first country outside of France to host the start of both events in the same year, with the races starting in Edinburgh and Leeds respectively.

‘Excitement starting to build’

Mayor Claire said: “Now we know the full route, the excitement is really starting to build. The Tour de France Femmes will take some of the world’s best riders through the Peak District, with thousands of people able to cheer them on from the roadside.

“From the climbs around Winnats Pass to the sprint at Ladybower Reservoir, the route will show off some of Derbyshire’s most spectacular scenery. It’s a chance for our towns and villages to welcome visitors, support local businesses and share what makes this part of the world so special.

“I hope people across the East Midlands will get behind the race, come out and enjoy it, and give the riders a welcome they won’t forget.”

Stage two of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will feature up to 3,000 metres of climbing as riders tackle many miles of racing through the hills of Derbyshire.

After departing Manchester and heading into Derbyshire through New Mills, the peloton will tackle some of the region’s most famous climbs, including a 1.4km race up Winnats Pass, at a gradient of 12.3 per cent, and a 5.4km climb at 4.6 per cent along Snake Pass.

Today’s route announcement revealed there will also be two intermediate sprints in Derbyshire, in Hope and alongside Ladybower Reservoir, where riders will be battling for points towards the prestigious green jersey and all-important time bonuses.

The race ends in Sheffield, where riders will face a succession of short but punishing climbs, including the Côte d’Oughtibridge and Côte de Jenkin Road, both used when the men’s Tour de France finished in the city in 2014. The stage will conclude with the same finish line where Vincenzo Nibali won in 2014, but approached from the opposite direction.

Britain’s role in the 2027 races was showcased during today’s official presentation at the Palais des Congrès in Paris, with a film featuring a bespoke poem by award-winning performance poet Sophia Thakur.

The Grands Départs will see the Tour de France make only its fifth visit to Britain and begin its three-week odyssey in Edinburgh on Friday July 2, with three stages through Scotland, north-west England and Wales, before a route that will bend towards the sky in Morvan and the Alps before leading the riders to Mende and on to the decisive showdown in the Pyrenees.

The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will then make its first visit to Britain, kicking off in Leeds on Friday July 30, to echo memories of the spectacular men’s Grand Départ of 2014. The three British stages will culminate with a team time trial in London, while it was revealed the overall race will lead the peloton all the way to the slopes of the Massif Central and the iconic Puy de Dôme, where the queen will be crowned.

‘Historic moment’

All six stages of the two Grands Départs will be broadcast live on free-to-air television in the UK on Five, alongside live coverage on TNT Sports, which will broadcast the entirety of the 2027 races.

Paul Bush, Grand Départ GB 2027 managing director, said: “To have both the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift starting in Britain next summer is extraordinary, and a historic moment. These routes showcase what a spectacular stage Scotland, England and Wales will provide. The women’s team time trial will be such a memorable moment, passing through the heart of London, finishing on The Mall – the first of its kind in the modern history of the race.”

Christian Prudhomme, Tour de France director, said: “Just a few weeks apart, the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will each take their respective pelotons on a journey through the roads of the United Kingdom.

“Along with what we anticipate will be a warm and massive welcome for the champions, Great Britain also offers us a symbol that further ties the two races together.

“From the start on 2 July at the foot of Edinburgh Castle, which will be the northernmost in the history of the Tour, to a team time trial in London on 1 August, which will undoubtedly bring to mind the one where the champions battled it out 20 years earlier, nearly 900km will be covered. Needless to say, there will be thousands of thrills and emotions.”

Detailed maps of all six stages can now be found on the Routes page of letourgb.com.

Sports minister Stephanie Peacock said: “This will be a historic moment for cycling, as the UK hosts both Grands Départs, including the Tour de France Femmes’ first ever women’s team time trial through the heart of London.

“The route across Scotland, England and Wales will bring out cheering fans and shine a spotlight on women’s cycling like never before. Our £32 million will fund the races and a lasting legacy, so the public feel the benefits long after the last rider crosses the line.”

Tour de France Grands Départs 2027

The joint UK Grands Départs mark an important moment for cycling, with both the men’s and women’s Tours showcased on one of the world’s greatest sporting stages. With millions of spectators expected, it will be the largest free-to-watch sporting event in UK history.

Hosting both Tours will inspire participation at every level, building on the UK’s proud legacy of cycling success and innovation.

A dedicated social impact programme, JOY, will deliver lasting impact beyond 2027, focused on improving health and wellbeing, skills development and connecting communities. The programme will create an opportunity for young people to develop and showcase their skills whilst bringing together community groups to showcase and celebrate their local area and include a nationwide volunteer programme offering thousands of people the chance to be part of these historic sporting events first-hand.

Grands Départs routes

Tour de France route:

• Friday July 2 – stage one: Edinburgh to Carlisle;
• Saturday July 3 – stage two: Keswick to Liverpool;
• Sunday July 4 – stage three: Welshpool to Cardiff.

Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift route:

• Friday July 30 – stage one: Leeds to Manchester;
• Saturday July 31 – stage two: Manchester to Sheffield;
• Sunday August 1 – stage three: London.

For more information, visit letourGB.com