How Leeds is set to make history by hosting the Grand Depart of 2027’s Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift
Leeds is set to make sporting history as the host location for the Grand Départ of 2027’s Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
The first ever visit to Britain by the world’s biggest women’s professional cycle race will get under way in the city on July 30 next year, organisers have revealed.
The city will be the first place outside mainland Europe to host the start of stage one of a Grand Départ for both the men’s Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
Stage one of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will see the riders heading from Leeds over the Pennines to Manchester.
The second stage, on July 31, will take them from Manchester to Sheffield via the climbs of the Peak District, before a London leg is held on August 1.
Full details of the route the cyclists will follow through Leeds are due to be announced in spring this year.
Coun James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Leeds has been chosen as a host location for the Grand Départ of 2027’s Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
“No one who was present at the 2014 Tour de France Grand Départ here will ever forget the incredible atmosphere and sights that day, and I’m sure next year’s event will deliver a whole new set of brilliant memories.
“This is the kind of occasion that can showcase the very best of our city to the watching world while giving an important boost to the local economy.”
Their setting off point will be the Headrow, which will stir memories for many local residents of the remarkable scenes as Leeds hosted the start of the first stage of the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in 2014.
Around 230,000 people packed into the city centre to cheer the riders on their way, with another two million spectators lining the rest of the event’s Yorkshire route.
A report by Leeds City Council and UK Sport showed the 2014 Grand Départ boosted the county’s economy by more than £100m, with further long-term benefits predicted as a result of increased tourism, profile and trade deals.
Coun Lewis added: “The council will now be working closely with the race organisers and a wide range of other partners and stakeholders as we prepare for what promises to be a really special day.
“We can assure local communities that we will be engaging with them in the coming months as further details about the Grand Départ, including full route information, are released.”
Otley cycling champion and Olympian Lizzie Deignan said: “Racing the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift has been one of the highlights of my career, and seeing the women’s edition go from strength to strength has been genuinely inspiring.
“To know that both the men’s and women’s races will start here in 2027, and especially that the women will come to my home roads of Yorkshire, is truly special.
“This is a huge moment for the sport and an opportunity that will inspire countless women and girls to get on their bikes.”
A civic celebration was held in Leeds last night. The front of the Civic Hall was lit up by a dazzling visual projection that celebrated previous British Grand Départs and showcased the plans for 2027.
At the same time, a beam of light – in the famous Tour de France yellow – illuminated the night sky above Millennium Square and the rest of the city centre.
Around 150 guests – including Leeds City Council leader Coun James Lewis and the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Coun Dan Cohen – gathered at Leeds City Museum to hear details of the various UK start and finish locations for the women’s race.
The ‘yellow beam’ light show seen in Leeds was simultaneously replicated in the nine other locations that will be acting as start and finish points during next year’s Grand Départs.
This display – dubbed the Tour de Skies – was designed to create a nationwide ‘moment of anticipation’ for the excitement to come in 2027.
Details of volunteering opportunities for both Grand Départs – in areas such as route operations and spectator support – are set to be announced this spring.
The Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift are organised by French company ASO, with delivery of the 2027 Grand Départs being led by Grand Départ GB and British Cycling.