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The world’s greatest race returns
On its fifth visit to Great Britain, the Tour de France will make first trips to Scotland and Wales, while the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will hit British roads for the first time ever.
This is the first time the Grands Départs will leave the same country outside France in the same summer, creating a nationwide festival of cycling.
What is the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift?
What began as a plan by L’Auto to boost newspaper sales is now one of sport’s most iconic events. The 23-day race includes only two rest days, creating a gruelling three week challenge for riders who are battling for the famous yellow jersey.
Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, launched in 2022, is already writing its own history with four different winners in its first four editions.
The race has quickly become the pinnacle of women’s road cycling, with a reputation for aggressive and unpredictable racing across stunning scenery.
Both races often begin with Grand Départs outside of France, with the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift previously beginning in the Netherlands, Switzerland, before its first trip to Great Britain in 2027.
Britain and the Tour
1974 - Plymouth
The Tour first raced on British roads during a single circuit stage in Plymouth in 1974.
1994 - Brighton and Portsmouth
It was 20 years before a return to British shores, with two stages taking place on the south coast in 1994, in Brighton and Portsmouth.
2007 - London
The Tour finally ventured in-land in 2007, for a prologue and the opening stage in the capital, finishing in Canterbury.
2014 - Yorkshire and London
Yorkshire fell in love with the Tour when it hosted the Grand Départ in 2014, with visits to York, Leeds and Sheffield. The Tour returned to the capital for the closing stage.
2027 - A history-making double
For the first time ever, both the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will begin in the same country outside of France. With a first trip visit to both Scotland and Wales, it's going to be a nationwide festival of cycling.
Yellow jerseys and national heroes
There has been plenty of British success on the road as well.
During a golden era for British cycling, Sir Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas all won the Tour, with Froome being one of the most decorated winners of all time with four titles.
In addition, six more Brits have worn the yellow jersey including Chris Boardman, Adam Yates and Sir Mark Cavendish, who is the Tour’s all-time leader in individual stage wins.
British riders are also becoming household names in the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, including Paris-Roubaix podium finisher Pfeiffer Georgi and the junior world champion on both track and road, Cat Ferguson.
With next year’s Grand Départ expected to be one of Great Britain’s biggest ever women’s sporting events there will be plenty of support for riders racing on familiar roads.
