UK Stages of 2027 Tour de France Femmes Promises Brutal Challenges for Riders
The 2027 Tour de France Femmes is set to feature three challenging stages in the UK, with riders describing the routes as "super brutal." Among the highlights is a daunting 154km second stage from Manchester to Sheffield, which includes nearly 3,000m of climbing and the notorious Winnats Pass in the Peak District. Organizers ASO claim this stage is one of the toughest Grand Depart stages in history. The race will also include: A 85.7km route from Leeds to a likely sprint finish in Manchester. An approximately 18km team time trial concluding on London's Pall Mall, marking a first for the women's event. Movistar's Cat Ferguson, a 19-year-old English rider from Skipton, expressed her excitement about racing close to home: "Having the Tour de France Femmes Avec Swift so close to home feels like a full circle moment for me. I trained on those roads and I know they're going to be super brutal stages. Stage two in particular - always up and down. It's really going to be one [stage] that can change the Tour. The GC leaders can lose a lot." Both the men's (starting July 2) and women's (starting July 30) Grand Departs will occur in Britain, with the government highlighting its accessibility. The event is projected to be within an hour's drive for 60% of the population, with free spectating along 900km (559 miles) of public roads. This marks the first instance where both men's and women's Grand Departs occur in the same country outside of France. Marion Rousse, race director, stated: "The United Kingdom has already shown its passion for the Tour, and these stages will once again showcase the energy of the crowds, the beauty of the landscapes and the growing importance of women's cycling on the world stage." The announcement featured young girls participating in the JOY program, aimed at tackling inactivity and enhancing mental well-being in Britain.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-04-20