Some of the world's best women cyclists will be passing through
Manchester next year after the city was confirmed today by
organisers as a key start and finish destination for
the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
Manchester is set welcome the finish of stage one of the iconic
women's cycling race on Friday 30 July 2027, followed by the
start of stage two the following day as riders depart the city to
continue the race on Saturday 31 July 2027.
The starts and finishes for the historic first ever visit of the
women's race to Britain were revealed alongside the route
for the men's race - which starts in Edinburgh a few weeks
earlier on Friday 2 July 2027 - in a 'Tour de Skies' moment this
evening, that saw ten host towns and cities illuminated
simultaneously with yellow beams of light reaching into the night
skies, including in Manchester where the city's Central Library
on St Peter's Square provided a stunning backdrop as a yellow
beam was projected skywards.
Next year marks the first time both Grand Départs - for the men's
and the women's race - will begin in the United Kingdom, and the
first time they have taken place in the same country, outside
France. With millions of spectators expected, it will be the
largest free-to-watch sporting event in UK history.
Alongside today's route announcement, organisers also announced
first details of Joy, the social impact programme that will embed
community impact at the heart of the 2027 Grand Départs, and
confirmed also that 7,000 volunteers will be recruited to support
the event nationwide.
Joy will see six core programmes rolled out across the home
nations with organisers working collaboratively with local
councils, community representatives, delivery partners and
governments to create opportunities for young people to develop
their skills, break down barriers for girls in sport, and to
showcase community culture through the voices of Britain.
On the volunteer side British Cycling will look to recruit more
than 7,000 volunteers for the Grand Départs, inviting people
across the UK to play a hands-on role in delivering the event.
Thousands of opportunities will be available across route
operations, spectator support and community engagement, offering
people of all ages the chance to be part of Tour history, with
more details to be announced when the programme is launched in
the spring.
As a former European Capital of Cycling in 2024, and home also to
British Cycling with its base at the National Cycling Centre and
velodrome in east Manchester which first opened in 1994,
Manchester has a long history with cycling and with women's
cycling.
Councillor John Hacking, Executive Member for Skills Employment
and Leisure, Manchester City Council, said: "Manchester has
a decades-long association with cycling and with women's sport,
and championing women and girls to participate in and enjoy
sports - including cycling - at all levels from entry through to
elite, is really important to us.
"Our year as European Capital of Cycling in 2024 showed us just
how much cycling means to people in the city and to have both a
stage finish and start of the prestigious Tour de France Femmes
in Manchester provides an unrivalled opportunity to see the
world's best women cyclists in action here on our streets.
"We'll be going all out to ensure the success of the stages that
pass through the city and to maximise the opportunities it
presents for local people and businesses to get involved and
support the event."
Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift route:
· Friday 30 July | stage one: Leeds to Manchester
· Saturday 31 July | stage two: Manchester to Sheffield
· Sunday 1 August | stage three: London
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift begins in Leeds on Friday 30
July for an opening stage, travelling west and over the Pennines
to Manchester.
Racing resumes a day later from Manchester on Saturday 31 July
for a stage through the Peak District National Park to Sheffield,
with the peloton expected to pass through some of the most famous
climbs, including the Côte de Snake Pass.
London will provide a spectacular finale when stage three visits
the capital on Sunday 1 August.
To find out more information and keep up-to-date with the 2027
Grand Départs, please visit letourGB.com
