Tour de France hopes for a significant Grand Depart 2027 legacy as routes are revealed

Organisers unveiled the 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ routes, including stages from Edinburgh to Carlisle, Keswick to Liverpool and Welshpool to Cardiff, while the women's race will run across the Pennines. Director Christian Prudhomme said the event will focus on creating a lasting legacy, with particular emphasis on children and encouraging more walking, running and cycling.

It has been almost 12 years since Yorkshire set the benchmark for Tour de France Grand Départs, and organisers say they want the 2027 start to have a similarly large impact. Christian Prudhomme, the Tour director, was in Leeds to outline the men's and women's routes and to stress that planning is under way. He described the 2014 Yorkshire event as a reference point and spoke about an ambition for a significant legacy. He also highlighted work with British Cycling and a focus on children and broader public activity as part of that legacy. Key details: - Christian Prudhomme, the Tour director, said the 2014 Grand Départ in Yorkshire is the benchmark and that organisers hope 2027 will be as significant. - The men's route begins in Edinburgh on Friday July 2, with stages described as Edinburgh to Carlisle, Keswick to Liverpool, and Welshpool to Cardiff. - The women's race is planned to tackle the Pennines, running between Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield. - Organisers described a sprint-finish design for Carlisle, a Keswick start with climbs after Lancaster leading to Liverpool's waterfront, and climbs between Welshpool and Cardiff that could shape general classification action. - Prudhomme said organisers are working closely with British Cycling and want the event to inspire young people and encourage walking, running and cycling across communities. Summary: Organisers have revealed the main 2027 Grand Départ routes and presented the event as an opportunity to create a lasting local and national legacy focused on youth and public activity. Further planning and preparations with partners such as British Cycling are under way as organisers work toward the July 2027 start.