London team time trial revealed for Tour de France Femmes in 2027

The 2027 edition of the Tour de France Femmes will feature a historic team time trial stage in central London, marking the first time this discipline has been included in the race since its inception in 2022. The 18km stage, set for the third day of the event, will showcase iconic London landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Tower Bridge, and will conclude on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace. This route echoes the men’s Tour de France’s last visit to the UK in 2014, when a stage also finished on The Mall, underscoring the significance of the capital city in the race’s history. The inclusion of the team time trial coincides with an unprecedented double Grand Départ in 2027, where both the men’s and women’s Tours will commence in the UK, marking the first time both races start outside France in the same country. Tour de France Femmes race director Marion Rousse emphasised the importance of this moment, highlighting London’s cooperation in facilitating the event and the opportunity to spend an entire day racing through the city’s streets. Rousse also noted that organising a team time trial in a busy urban environment is often easier than managing a full peloton, presenting a unique logistical advantage. Team time trials remain a rarity in women’s cycling, typically seen only at events like the UCI World Championships and the Vuelta Femenina. British riders Flora Perkins and Cat Ferguson, present at the announcement, expressed enthusiasm for the stage, recognising its value in showcasing the team aspect of women’s cycling to a wider audience. Ferguson reflected on her limited experience with team time trials and the importance of increasing their presence in women’s Grand Tours, while Perkins highlighted the discipline’s deep roots in UK cycling culture and its authenticity as a racing format. Further details about the UK Grand Départ were also revealed, with the first two stages promising challenging terrain. Stage one will cover 85.7km from Leeds to Manchester, featuring several climbs and a total elevation gain of 1,390 metres. The second stage, from Manchester to Sheffield, is described as the toughest Grand Départ stage yet, with 2,750 metres of climbing over 154km, including notable ascents such as Snake Pass and Winnats Pass. Rousse characterised this stage as a relentless battle with no flat sections, ensuring a dramatic and demanding start to the race. The men’s Tour de France will begin in Edinburgh on 2 July 2027, with subsequent stages finishing in Carlisle, Liverpool, and Cardiff before the race transfers to France. The UK’s prominent role in both races next summer highlights a growing emphasis on British terrain and audiences in the world’s premier cycling events, signalling a significant moment for the sport’s expansion and visibility in the region.