Full Breakdown
2027 Tour de France Routes Unveiled: British Grand Départ, Record Time-Trial Kilometres and a Pyrenean Finale
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On 22 October 2026 the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) presented the itineraries for the 2027 men’s Tour de France (2 July – 25 July) and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (30 July – 7 August). Both races will open outside France, with the men’s Grand Départ in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the women’s in Leeds, England. The men’s route features two individual time-trial stages (38 km Blois-Chambord and 33 km around Toulouse) totalling 71 km—the most since 2012. After three opening stages across Scotland, England and Wales, the peloton transfers to France for three summit finishes (Grand Colombier, Les Saisies, Col du Portet) and a final stage on the Champs-Élysées. The women’s race includes an 18-km team time trial in London and a decisive finish on the Puy de Dôme on 7 August.
Background & Context
The 2027 edition marks the fifth Grand Départ abroad in six years and the first time the men’s and women’s Tours start in the same foreign country in a single season. Previous British starts occurred in 2007, 2014 and 2022 (women’s). Over the past decade race director Christian Prudhomme has reduced time-trial kilometres; the 2027 programme reverses that trend.
Data & Statistics
- Men’s distance: 3 479 km, elevation gain ? 53 000 m.
- Women’s distance: 1 156 km, elevation gain ? 17 665 m.
- Time-trial kilometres (men): 71 km (stages 7 & 16).
- Summit finishes (men): 3 (Grand Colombier, Les Saisies, Col du Portet).
- Total climbs (men): 28, with 5 340 m on the decisive Pyrenean stage 18.
- Women’s key climbs: La Loge des Gardes, short climbs on the final three stages, and the Puy de Dôme (? 1 800 m).
Verbatim Quotes
- “At first glance, it looks like a fairly balanced route, with several flat sprint stages, explosive finales and tough mountain stages,” — Marc Reef, Head of Racing, Visma-Lease a Bike
- “If you want to discover other climbs, you have to accept that we don't systematically use the best-known ones,” — Christian Prudhomme, race director
On-the-Ground Reports
Former Tour winner Geraint Thomas expressed pride in promoting Wales as a cycling destination.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Media outlets differ on whether the iconic Montmartre climb will feature in the final Paris stage. No official confirmation has been issued.
Why It Matters / Impact
The British Grand Départ guarantees high spectator turnout and media exposure in the UK, while the expanded time-trial kilometres favour specialists such as Remco Evenepoel and could reshape the general-classification battle before the Pyrenean block. The women’s inclusion of a team time trial and a Puy de Dôme finish adds new tactical dimensions and highlights the growing parity between the two Tours.