Grand Départ 2027 Delivery Team Appointed
The team responsible for delivering the Grand Départ of the men’s Tour de France 2027, and that of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes, has been appointed.
Both Grand Départs will take place in the UK. The men’s race is set to begin in Edinburgh, while details of the start of the women’s race are still to be announced.
Grand Départ GB 2027
A ‘special purpose vehicle’ called Grand Départ GB 2027 has been established by British Cycling and UKEL. UKEL is a non-profit company that will work with national sports governing bodies to help deliver major sporting events in the UK.
Grand Départ GB 2027 will oversee delivery of the Grand Départs and manage public funding from:
- the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
- the Scottish government
- the Welsh government and
- UK Sport
The Acting Chair of Grand Départ GB 2027 is Chris Brindley, who was Chair of the Rugby League World Cup 2021.
Other Board members include Paul Williamson, Michelle Dite, Tove Okunniwa and Frank Slevin.
Chris Brindley
Chris Brindley said:
‘Today marks a significant milestone in the delivery of the Grand Départ of both the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in 2027.
I am delighted that we have such a strong and experienced team in place to drive forward this historic and unique event which has such huge potential to unite and inspire people right across the country’.
Le Tour GB Website
A website with information about the two Grand Départs has been set up at letourgb.com.
A press release on the website says that millions are expected to line the streets. It adds:
‘As a key part of this, a landmark social impact programme will be delivered as part of the build-up to the 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Grand Départs.
The ambitious programme will deliver long-lasting benefits for thousands of people across the country by tackling inactivity, improving mental wellbeing, boosting economic growth and supporting communities to thrive’.
Director of Events at UK Sport Simon Morton said:
‘We set out to host the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes because we believe that live sport is a fundamental part of our country’s social fabric, and that we should be hosting events that are accessible to people and communities across the country.
This will be the biggest free spectator event ever hosted in the UK, offering the public front-row access to world class sport across villages, towns and cities.
We can’t wait to share more details later in the year about this truly remarkable route’.
CEO of British Cycling Jon Dutton said the event has ‘the potential to inspire more people to discover the joy and benefits of cycling’, and to be a national moment that encourages healthier lifestyles, supports cycle tourism, and brings communities together.