The first-ever team time trial at the Tour de France Femmes is set to take place in London in 2027, marking a historic moment for women’s cycling and a milestone for British riders who will compete on home soil in the sport’s most prestigious stage race.
Organizers of the Tour de France Femmes announced the route for the 2027 edition, confirming that the opening three stages will be held in the United Kingdom as part of the Grand Départ. The announcement, made in late 2024, included details of a team time trial on Stage 2, which will wind through central London and is expected to finish near iconic landmarks such as Buckingham Palace or Trafalgar Square, though the exact route remains under final review by race officials and local authorities.
For British cyclists, the prospect of riding a team time trial in front of a home crowd at the Tour de France Femmes has been described as “surreal” by several riders in recent interviews. Anna Shackley, a Scottish rider for SD Worx-Protime, told BBC Sport in November 2024 that “to be part of the first-ever team time trial at the Tour de France Femmes, and to do it in London, it’s hard to put into words. It will feel surreal — like we’re living in a dream we’ve waited years for.”
The inclusion of a team time trial in the women’s Tour de France represents a significant step toward parity with the men’s race, which has featured the discipline regularly since its inception. While the men’s Tour has included team time trials in recent editions — such as the 2023 stage in Nice — the 2027 Tour de France Femmes will be the first to feature the format in its history.
Route Details Confirmed for UK Opening Stages
The Grand Départ for the 2027 Tour de France Femmes will begin in the UK, with the first two stages fully confirmed by Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), the race’s organizer. Stage 1 is set to start in Edinburgh, Scotland, and cover approximately 140 kilometers, finishing in Glasgow after a route that includes challenging climbs through the Lothians and finishes on a circuit in the city center.
Stage 2, the team time trial, will take place entirely in London and is expected to be between 25 and 30 kilometers in length — consistent with recent team time trials in the men’s Tour de France. While ASO has not yet released the exact course, sources close to the organizing committee indicate it will likely follow a loop incorporating landmarks along the Thames, potentially passing sites such as the Tower Bridge, the London Eye, and Westminster before concluding in a central location.
Stage 3 will observe the peloton travel from London to Canterbury in Kent, covering roughly 160 kilometers through the Southeast of England. The stage is expected to favor sprinters or puncheurs, with a finishing circuit that may include several laps around the historic city center, setting up a potential bunch sprint or an opportunistic attack from a breakaway group.
All three UK stages were confirmed in a joint announcement by ASO and UK cycling authorities in October 2024, with support from UK Sport and local councils. The decision to open the 2027 Tour de France Femmes in Britain follows the success of the 2022 and 2023 men’s Tour de France Grand Départs in Denmark and Bilbao, respectively, and reflects ASO’s strategy of rotating the opening stages internationally to grow the race’s global appeal.
Significance for Women’s Cycling and British Athletes
The decision to include a team time trial in the Tour de France Femmes and to launch the race in the UK carries broader implications for the development of women’s cycling. For years, advocates have called for greater equity in race format, media coverage, and investment between the men’s and women’s Tours. The inclusion of a team time trial — a discipline that tests coordination, power, and tactical precision — is seen as a meaningful step toward aligning the women’s race with the traditions and challenges of its male counterpart.
For British riders, the opportunity to compete in a Grand Tour team time trial on home soil is particularly poignant. Despite a strong tradition in track and road cycling, British women have had limited opportunities to contest stages of the Tour de France Femmes since its revival in 2022. Riders such as Anna Shackley, Josie Nelson, and Sophie Lewis have emerged as rising talents in recent years, competing for UCI Women’s WorldTour teams and gaining experience in stage races across Europe.
“To line up for a team time trial at the Tour de France Femmes, wearing the British kit, with crowds lining the streets of London — it’s something we’ve dreamed about since we were kids,” said Josie Nelson of Canyon//SRAM Racing in a December 2024 interview with Cycling Weekly. “It’s not just about the race. it’s about showing the next generation that this sport belongs to them too.”
Logistics and Legacy Planning Underway
Hosting the Grand Départ of the Tour de France Femmes requires extensive coordination between ASO, national federations, local governments, and emergency services. In the UK, the responsibility falls to British Cycling, which is working with Transport for London, Scottish local authorities, and Kent County Council to manage road closures, security, and public engagement.
According to a British Cycling spokesperson interviewed by Inside the Games in January 2025, planning is already underway for operational aspects such as team accommodation, media centers, and fan zones. “We’re treating this like a major international event — on par with hosting a World Championship or Olympic cycling competition,” the spokesperson said. “The goal is to deliver a world-class experience for the riders, staff, and spectators while minimizing disruption to local communities.”
Sustainability is also a key focus, with organizers aiming to reduce the environmental impact of the event through measures such as encouraging public transport employ, minimizing single-use plastics, and sourcing local food and supplies. ASO has implemented similar green initiatives at recent editions of both the men’s and women’s Tours, including carbon offset programs and waste reduction targets.
Economic impact studies commissioned by UK Sport estimate that the three UK stages could generate upwards of £25 million in direct and indirect revenue for the host cities, driven by tourism, hospitality, and media exposure. These figures are based on comparable events such as the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow and across Scotland.
What This Means for the Future of the Tour de France Femmes
The 2027 edition of the Tour de France Femmes is expected to build on the growing momentum of the race since its return in 2022 after a decades-long hiatus. Each edition has seen increases in viewership, prize money, and team participation. The 2024 race featured 24 teams and a total prize fund of €250,000, with Demi Vollering of SD Worx-Protime claiming the overall victory.
By bringing the Grand Départ to the UK and introducing a team time trial, ASO aims to elevate the race’s profile further and attract new audiences. The move also aligns with the UCI’s broader goals for gender equity in cycling, including minimum salary regulations for professional women’s riders and increased investment in development programs.
As of early 2025, no official date has been set for the 2027 Tour de France Femmes, but the race is expected to occur in late July or early August, following the traditional window for the men’s Tour. The full route beyond the UK stages remains unannounced, though speculation suggests a possible return to classic mountainous stages in the Pyrenees or Alps, potentially culminating in a final stage on the Champs-Élysées in Paris — mirroring the men’s race tradition.
For now, British riders and fans alike are focusing on the unprecedented opportunity ahead. As Anna Shackley put it: “We’re not just riding a race. We’re helping to write a new chapter — one where young girls in London, Edinburgh, or Canterbury can see themselves on the start line of the Tour de France Femmes and know it’s possible.”
The next official update on the 2027 Tour de France Femmes route is expected from ASO in mid-2025, likely alongside the announcement of the men’s Tour de France 2027 route. Fans are encouraged to follow the official Tour de France Femmes website and social media channels for confirmed details as they become available.
If you’ve followed the build-up to this historic moment or have thoughts on what the team time trial in London could mean for the future of women’s cycling, we’d love to hear from you. Share your views in the comments below, and help spread the word by sharing this article with fellow cycling enthusiasts.