Judging panel revealed for Grand Depart poster competition

• Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase the skills of up-and-coming British-based designers at the world’s biggest annual sporting spectacle, when it comes to Britain in July 2027 

• Competition part of landmark JOY social impact programme that is embedding community impact at the heart of the 2027 Grands Départs 

The panel of expert judges that will help select the final shortlist for the Grand Départ GB poster competition has today been revealed, as students from across England, Wales, and Scotland, now have less than a month to submit their designs for the official posters for the historic 2027 Grands Départs of the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.  

Dr Bethan Gordon, Dean at Cardiff School of Art and Design; Stef Blum-Stevenson, Widening Participation Officer at Edinburgh College of Art; Abi Wright, graphic designer, curator, and co-founder of the BLK Art Map; and Ben Perry, creative studio lead at British Cycling, will all be adjudging the entries in the competition, which closes for submissions on Friday 26 June.  

The quartet join award winning artist Lucy Pittaway on the panel, who helped launch the competition, which is open to students enrolled on art, design, graphics, creative and photography courses at further and higher education institutions in theareas hosting the six stages in 2027.  

The judges will select a shortlist for both races that will be put forward to race organisers ASO in July, who will select the final winners for each race and then work with them to develop their designs ahead of the October reveal in Paris.  

Commenting on being part of the judging panel, Dr Bethan Gordon, said:

“As Dean of Cardiff Art and Design at Cardiff Metropolitan University, it is an honour to contribute to the Grands Départs 2027 poster judging panel.  This initiative highlights the vital role of creative practice in connecting communities to global cultural moments.”

Abi Wright, graphic designer, curator and co-founder of Blk Art Map, added:

“I’m excited to be joining the shortlisting panel for the Grand Départ GB 2027 poster competition. It’s an honour to draw on my graphic design experience in supporting the next generation of art and design talent in Britain. As co-founder of Blk Art Map, I’m especially committed to encouraging diverse entries that reflect the richness of creative talent across the country.”  

Stef Blum-Stevenson, Widening Participation Officer at Edinburgh College of Art, said:

“I’m excited to see creative poster submissions and come together with colleagues to discover and celebrate the potential of current students. I’ve taken part in Tour de Fleece which brings together people spinning yarn during the Tour de France. Every day that the cycle tyres are turning, our spinning wheels are turning, too.” 

The competition is open for submissions until 5pm on Friday 26 June 2026. Full details, including terms and conditions and how to enter, are available at letourgb.com/poster-competition   

Used across the entire event, the artworks will be seen by millions, both on the roadside and worldwide, with the artwork being used by race organisers the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) across promotional materials, digital advertising and much more, making for an incredible opportunity for two students to truly go global with their work.  

In addition to having their work showcased across the Grand Départs, both winning designers will be invited to Paris in October 2026 for the official unveiling of their work during ASO’s route presentation of the 2027 races and will receive hospitalityat one of the 2027 British stages.  

Fancy being a part of the historic 2027 Grands Départs? Sign up as a JOY Maker volunteer at letourgb.com/volunteer