Stockport marks 300-day countdown to Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Grand Départ

Stockport will mark a major milestone in its countdown to the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Grand Départ as the official trophy tour arrives in the borough, with residents getting the chance to see the iconic race trophy as part of a special weekend of celebrations.

The visit next weekend (3 and 4 October) marks 300 days to go until the world-famous women’s cycling race comes through Stockport in 2027 and gives residents, businesses and visitors the opportunity to get up close to one of the most recognisable symbols in world cycling and find out more about the race’s historic visit to the borough in 2027.

The celebrations begin at Rita Ray’s at Weir Mill on Saturday 3 October, before moving to Merseyway on Sunday 4 October, helping build excitement ahead of one of the biggest events ever to come to Stockport.

Rita Ray’s, based at Weir Mill on Chestergate, is the North’s first female focused sports bar and recently opened as a pioneering space built for the love of sport and open to everyone. Its commitment to championing women’s sport makes it a natural fit for the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift trophy tour.

The trophy visit on 3 October will coincide with WEIR:LIVE, an all day, free, family friendly festival celebrating the opening of the new neighbourhood. It will give people the chance to get up close to the trophy, take photos and watch some of the most exciting moments from this summer’s race on screens throughout the day.

It will help bring the excitement of the Tour to Stockport and give people the chance to be part of the borough’s journey towards the 2027 Grand Départ. The trophy will be on display from 11am to 5pm.

Cllr Dan Oliver, Cabinet Member responsible for sports at Stockport Council, said:  “The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift coming to Stockport is a huge moment for our borough and one we want everyone to feel part of. 

“With just 300 days to go, the trophy tour is a fantastic way to build excitement and give people the chance to get involved in the countdown to 2027. It’s also an opportunity to showcase the places, communities and organisations that make Stockport such a vibrant and welcoming place. 

“Hosting part of one of the world’s biggest sporting events reflects our ambition for Stockport and our commitment to creating opportunities that inspire people, support active lifestyles and put the borough on the international stage.”

Becky Brown, Founder of Rita Ray’s, said: “Women’s sport has grown massively, but the spaces to watch it have not caught up. Rita Ray’s was created to put women’s sport front and centre and to give fans a welcoming, inclusive place to come together.

“To welcome the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift trophy here in Stockport, 300 days before the race arrives, feels really special. It shows girls and women locally that they belong in sport and that their achievements deserve to be celebrated.” 

The trophy tour will continue on Sunday 4 October as it moves to Merseyway, bringing the excitement to new audiences and giving families, shoppers and residents another chance to see the trophy in the heart of Stockport.

From 10am to 4pm, visitors will be able to view the trophy, have their photo taken with it and meet the tour team, with bike and Tour themed crafts taking place from 11am to 2pm.

The craft activity will also give children and families the opportunity to enter a cycling jersey design competition, with the winning design being featured as part of Merseyway’s 2027 Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift marketing campaign.

Victoria Nichol, Centre Manager at Merseyway Shopping Centre and Redrock, said:  “We are really pleased to welcome the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift trophy to Merseyway and help bring this exciting moment to families and visitors in the town centre. It is a great opportunity for people to see the trophy up close, enjoy the activities and be part of Stockport’s countdown to race day, when Merseyway will play its part in bringing the town centre celebrations to life.” 

The weekend forms part of Stockport’s build up to the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Grand Départ in 2027, helping residents, businesses and visitors connect with one of the biggest events in women’s cycling.