First-ever team time trial at Tour de France Femmes set for London in 2027 and 'will feel surreal' for British riders as details for opening trio of UK stages revealed

The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift 2027 will commence with a landmark event on UK soil, featuring the first-ever team time trial in the race’s history. Organisers ASO have revealed the details of the opening three stages, which will run from July 30 to August 1, beginning with two road stages in northern England before concluding with the team time trial through the streets of London. This innovative format is set to add a new dimension to the women’s race, with the 18km London course finishing on The Mall, promising a spectacular and historic start to the event. The opening stages will showcase some of the UK’s most iconic cycling terrain. Stage 1 will cover 85.7km from Leeds to Manchester, featuring several categorised climbs including Kirkheaton Hill and Meltham Hill, before finishing in the heart of Manchester. Stage 2 will be a more demanding 154.4km route from Manchester to Sheffield, taking the peloton through the challenging Peak District National Park with seven categorised climbs and nearly 3,000 metres of elevation gain. These stages highlight the growing prominence of women’s cycling and the UK’s enthusiasm for hosting top-tier international races. British riders have expressed excitement and pride at the prospect of racing on home roads in such a prestigious event. Cat Ferguson of Movistar Team described the 2027 Grand Départ as a “full circle moment,” reflecting on her childhood memories of watching the men’s Tour de France in the UK and her hopes to inspire future generations of female cyclists. Flora Perkins, who grew up riding in London, also spoke of the surreal experience it will be to race the team time trial in front of family and friends, emphasising the significance of the event for British women’s cycling. The 2027 Tour de France Femmes will mark a historic occasion as both the men’s and women’s races will start in the UK, with the men’s Grand Départ set for Edinburgh earlier in July. This will be the first time the two events have shared the same foreign host country, underscoring the UK’s growing role in the international cycling calendar. The announcement signals a continued commitment to elevating women’s cycling and expanding its global reach, with the London team time trial serving as a symbolic and exciting milestone for the sport’s future.