Great Britain to host Grand Depart of Tour de France 2027 for third time in history - reports
Published 28/02/2025 at 19:11 GMT
Great Britain is reportedly set to host the start of the Tour de France in 2027 for the third time in the prestigious race's history. An official announcement could come as early as next month as conversations between race organisers ASO and British sport authorities advance. Britain last held the Grand Depart in 2014 in Yorkshire before a stage finish in London.
Tadej Pogacar is the Lionel Messi of cycling – and Jonas Vingegaard is the Cristiano Ronaldo
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Grand Depart of the 2027 men's Tour de France is set to return to the UK, BBC Sport has reported.
It will be the third time that the UK has hosted the Grand Depart, which kicks off cycling's most prestigious race.
Britain last hosted the start of the race in 2014, beginning in Leeds and moving to stages in Sheffield and London.
The first time Britain hosted the Grand Depart was in London in 2007.
Route details are still being finalised and "advanced" talks between British sports authorities and Tour organisers ASO about the proposal are continuing, the BBC has said, adding that an official announcement regarding the 2027 race could come as soon as March.
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In a statement, UK Sport said: "We have made no secret of our ambition to host the Tour de France Grand Depart in Britain - to inspire more people to enjoy cycling and bring lasting benefits to communities.
"However, we respect this is a matter for the ASO and we remain committed to working hard to develop opportunities that can bring the joy of cycling to everyone."
Leeds is also expected to be announced as the host of the Grand Depart of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes race, the Yorkshire Post reported.
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The moment Pogacar cracked on Stage 17 of 2023 Tour de France
Video credit: TNT Sports
Hosting the start of the Tour de France has become a sought after event, due to the substantial revenue it brings to the local area.
The crowds for the three English stages in 2014 totalled 4.8 million, while generating £128m in revenue across those days - per the "Three Inspirational Days" report.
While it is common for the race to start outside of France, this year the Tour will kick off in Lille for an entirely French iteration, with Tadej Pogacar set to defend the yellow jersey, while the 2026 edition will start in Barcelona.
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