2027 Tour de France Route Revealed: British Start, Record Time Trials, and Pyrenean Finale

Key points

• The men’s race starts in Edinburgh on July 2, 2027, and finishes in Paris on July 25, covering 3,479km over 21 stages.
• The route includes 71km of individual time trials, the most since 2012, with stages in Chambord and Toulouse.
• The queen stage is Stage 18 to Col du Portet, featuring the Col du Tourmalet and 5,400m of elevation gain.
• The women’s race starts in Leeds on July 30, includes a team time trial in London, and finishes on the Puy de Dôme.
• Tadej Pogačar aims for a record sixth overall victory, facing competition from Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, and Paul Seixas.

Background

The 2026 Tour de France saw Tadej Pogačar secure his third consecutive victory, with the race often decided early. The 2026 World Championships in Montréal featured time trials, with Remco Evenepoel defending his title. The 2027 route builds on the 2026 women’s race, which was praised for its balance but lacked a time trial and major mountain ranges.

How outlets are covering it

Cyclingnews emphasizes the brutal Pyrenean stages and the significance of the 71km of time trials for Remco Evenepoel. NBC Sports highlights the three-nation start and the historical context of British Tour winners. The Guardian focuses on the logistical and cultural impact of the British Grand Départ, noting £65m in funding. Cyclingnews’s coverage of the women’s route criticizes the lack of a time trial and major mountains, contrasting with the men’s route.

Why it matters

The 2027 Tour de France route sets the stage for a competitive race, with time trials favoring Evenepoel and mountain stages favoring Pogačar. The British Grand Départ aims to boost cycling’s profile in the UK, while the women’s race seeks to balance challenge and accessibility. The route’s design could influence the outcome of the race and the future of women’s cycling.

What to watch

The 2027 Tour de France will begin on July 2, 2027, in Edinburgh. The women’s race will start on July 30, 2027, in Leeds. Local authorities will decide on spectator access to the Puy de Dôme climb. The race will face potential disruptions from civil unrest and extreme temperatures, as seen in 2023.