Tour de France 2027 Route: Edinburgh Start, 71km of Time Trials and Fewer Big Climbs

The route for the 2027 Tour de France has been unveiled in Paris, and it is one of the most unusual in years. The race starts in Edinburgh, spends six stages in the United Kingdom and packs in 71 kilometers of individual time trials, the most since 2012.

The Big Picture

• Grand Départ: Edinburgh, Scotland
• UK stages: Six, with street-by-street details released for fans planning to watch
• Stages: 21, from Edinburgh to Paris
• Individual time trials: 71km in total
• Mountains: Fewer major climbs than in recent editions

Stage 1 looks likely to end in a bunch sprint, giving fast riders an early shot at the yellow jersey.

Why So Much Time Trialing?

Tour director Christian Prudhomme said the change is about "resetting the balance." He pointed to the history of the race, name-checking Bradley Wiggins, who won in 2012 on a time-trial-heavy route, and climbing legend Federico Bahamontes. Prudhomme also addressed the shortage of major climbs, saying the goal is "a fight right the way to the end."

What It Means for the Favorites

Tadej Pogačar

Some called the route "anti-Pogačar," but analysts disagree. The world's best rider is also one of the best time trialists, so the route does not obviously hurt him. It does highlight race organizer ASO's love-hate relationship with a rider who has dominated recent Tours.

Remco Evenepoel

The Belgian could be the biggest winner. Evenepoel is a time trial specialist, and the most ITT kilometers in 15 years give him a real chance to gain time on Pogačar.

Jonas Vingegaard

If the route is "anti" anyone, it may be the two-time winner. Fewer summit finishes mean fewer chances for Vingegaard to use his climbing. His Visma team said "there could have been more" mountaintop finishes, but believes the route still suits several of its riders.

Home Hopes in Scotland

Scottish rider Oscar Onley, the Netcompany Ineos leader whose 2026 Tour was wrecked by a major crash, says simply taking part at home is his "first goal." He even joked about haggis and deep-fried Mars bars.

Tour de France Femmes 2027

The women's race takes a very different shape: no individual time trial, no Alps or Pyrenees and a longest climb of just 11 kilometers. The final stage finishes on the Puy de Dôme, where local authorities will decide whether spectators are allowed on the ecologically protected climb. Riders like Marlen Reusser have called for more equality between the men's and women's races.

Follow every stage next summer in our cycling coverage.

Related reading: the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor.