Great Britain has officially been confirmed as the next host for both the men’s and women’s Tour de France starting stages.
The Grand Départ Trophy was passed from 2026 host Barcelona to the UK on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, with British cycling figures Lizzie Deignan and Sir Mark Cavendish receiving the award.
The 2027 event will bring the world’s best riders to Cumbria, with stage one finishing in Carlisle and stage two starting in Keswick next July.
The handover marks the first time both the men’s and women’s events will begin in the same country outside France.
Jaume Collboni, the mayor of Barcelona, presented the trophy on the final podium of this year’s race.
Sir Mark said: “I built my whole career around Le Tour de France. It’s not simply a bike race, it’s an event that captivates everyone that both participates and spectates. A street party over many kilometres of colour, noise and speed.
“Having raced in 2007 and 2014 in the UK, I know first hand how amazing the British public are at Le Tour and can’t wait to see it on an even bigger scale with both races next year. Taking this trophy back to Britain tonight means a lot.”
Lizzie said: “Being on that podium in Paris and being handed that trophy was a really special moment. It still doesn’t feel real that in 12 months the Tour de France returns to Britain, with the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift racing on the roads I grew up riding in Yorkshire.
“It’ll be a big moment for the whole country, and I hope people come out to line those roads and experience the world’s biggest bike races in any way they can.”
Paul Bush, managing director for Grand Départ GB 2027, said: “As of now, Great Britain formally steps forward as the next host of the Tour de France – and we couldn’t be more excited and proud.
“Barcelona has set a brilliant standard this year, and now it’s our turn. For the first time in the race’s history, both the men’s and women’s Grands Départs will start in the same country outside of France, and that country is Britain. We are determined to make 2027 a moment the whole nation can be proud of.”
Millions of spectators are expected to line the routes of the six stages in the summer of 2027. A social impact programme named JOY will also run alongside the event, focusing on health, wellbeing, and connecting communities.
The men’s race will begin with stage one from Edinburgh to Carlisle on July 2 2027, followed by stage two from Keswick to Liverpool on July 3, and stage three from Welshpool to Cardiff on July 4.
The women’s race will see stage one run from Leeds to Manchester on July 30 2027, stage two from Manchester to Sheffield on July 31, and stage three in London on August 1.
The UK stages will be broadcast free-to-air via Channel 5. Applications for volunteer roles are open to anyone aged 16 and over until September 1 this year.
People will have the chance to see the Grand Depart trophy at Taste Cumbria Maryport next month.
