BIG NEWS! TOUR DE FRANCE GRAND DEPART IN SCOTLAND

For the first time the Tour de France will visit Scotland, as part of a historic dual Grand Départ to come to Great Britain in 2027.

BIG NEWS! TOUR DE FRANCE GRAND DEPART IN SCOTLAND
For the first time the Tour de France will visit Scotland, as part of a historic dual Grand Départ to come to Great Britain in 2027.

The 114th edition of Le Tour will start in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, it was announced today (Wednesday 19th March) on the Royal Mile.

As part of a historic milestone, the world’s biggest bike races, the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, will both take place in the UK in 2027, marking the first time both the men’s and women’s Grand Départs will take place in the same country (outside France).

The men’s Tour de France will begin in Edinburgh, Scotland, with further route details for both the men’s and women’s events to be announced in the Autumn, with a focus on maximising the opportunity to showcase Britain’s diverse landscapes, and inspiring as many people as possible through the event.

Christian Prudhomme, General Director, Tour de France, said: “The Tour de France and the UK share a rich history, and I am delighted to bring the Grand Départ to the country in 2027. Britain has always welcomed the Tour with enthusiasm and pride, and this collaboration across England, Scotland, and Wales promises to make the event even more special.”

Speaking at the announcement, Scottish Cycling Chief Executive, Nick Rennie, said: “It’s hard to underestimate the scale of today’s announcement and the impact it will have on cycling in Scotland. For the Tour de France to not only visit, but start in Scotland, is a huge milestone, not only for cycling but for sport in Scotland, so a huge thank you and congratulations to everyone who has played a role in making this a reality.”

“Over the last decade Scotland has continued to build a reputation as an outstanding major event host, with the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships further enhancing this. What that event 18 months ago did was raise people’s awareness of the different types of cycling available, and that cycling is truly for everyone. With the Commonwealth Games returning to Glasgow next summer, and the Tour de France Grand Depart taking place in Edinburgh 12 months later, we really are in a golden era for cycling in Scotland. It goes without saying that Scottish Cycling will be doing everything it can to use these iconic moments to get more people on bikes, enjoying our great sport.”

First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, said: “It is a tremendous honour to welcome the Tour de France to Scotland. We know it is one of the most iconic and inspiring contests in sport, and that Scotland provides the perfect stage for major events. Hosting the Tour promises to be a unique opportunity to showcase our country to its many fans around the world as part of a timeline of incredible sporting events in Scotland from 2026 to 2028.”

A key part of the event will see a landmark social impact programme delivered as part of the build-up to the 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Grand Départs. The ambitious programme will deliver long-lasting benefits for thousands of people across the country by tackling inactivity, improving mental wellbeing, boosting economic growth and supporting communities to thrive. Scotland, England, and Wales are all set to host stages of this famous event in 2027, making it the largest free sporting spectacle in British history with millions expected to line the streets for the return of the Tour de France, and to witness the first ever staging of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in the UK.

2027 will mark the first-ever time the TdF has visited Scotland, following previous visits to Great Britain: Plymouth (1974), Portsmouth, Brighton & Dover (1994), London (2007) and most recently Yorkshire in 2014.

WHAT THE SCOTTISH RIDERS SAY…

SEAN FLYNN (Team Picnic-Post NL) from Edinburgh: “Having the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in Edinburgh is a dream come true for me and all Scottish cycling fans. I can’t wait to see Edinburgh showcase itself to the whole cycling world and beyond. The tough Scottish terrain will definitely provide a spectacle and create tougher racing than people expect, which will be amazing. I didn’t think it was possible to have more motivation to start a Tour de France, but this has unlocked another level that I never imagined. I will be giving it everything I have to try and be there on the start line in 2027!”

OSCAR ONLEY (Team Picnic-Post NL) from Kelso: “The Tour de France coming to Scotland is really exciting and can have a huge impact on inspiring people to get on bikes and potentially start a new wave of talent coming out of Scotland. Scotland has hosted the Tour of Britain a few times over the past years and always puts on a good show, Le Tour offers a great opportunity to showcase the country on a bigger scale. It’s still a long way off obviously but it would be a dream to be on the start line in Edinburgh.”

CALLUM THORNLEY (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe Rookes) from Peebles said: “Hearing the news of the Grand Départ being in Edinburgh is just incredible. Being so close to my home in Peebles is so special. It makes you proud to be Scottish, and it’s the perfect stage for the Grand Depart, with the Old Town, the Castle – it’s so picturesque. The fans in Scotland are so passionate about cycling, so I’m incredibly excited for 2027.”

To find out more information and keep up-to-date with the 2027 Grand Departs, please visit letourgb.com