IT’S official: the Tour de France is coming to Scotland for the first time EVER.
We told you back in September how a return to the UK for the first time in 13 years was under consideration for the ‘Grand Depart’ of the world’s biggest bike race.
Race leader and yellow jersey Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates[/caption]
Tadej Pogacar wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey[/caption]
The downtown skyline of Edinburgh, where the race will start[/caption]
The Tour tends to start abroad, with the race kicking off in Italy in 2024, and scheduled for Lille and Barcelona in 2025 and 2026.
It’s had five previous visits to Great Britain: Plymouth (1974), Portsmouth, Brighton & Dover (1994), London (2007) and most recently Yorkshire in 2014.
And now we can reveal that the 2027 version of the race – the 114th edition – will kick off in Edinburgh as it comes to Scotland for the first time.
It will then wind its way through England and Wales.
As part of a historic milestone, the Tour de France AND the Tour de France Femmes will both take place in the UK, marking the first time both the men’s and women’s Grand Départs will take place in the same country (outside France).
First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, said: “It is a tremendous honour to welcome the Tour de France to Scotland.
“We know it is one of the most iconic and inspiring contests in sport, and that Scotland provides the perfect stage for major events.
“Hosting the Tour promises to be a unique opportunity to showcase our country to its many fans around the world as part of a timeline of incredible sporting events in Scotland from 2026 to 2028.”
Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme said: “The Tour de France and the UK share a rich history, and I am delighted to bring the Grand Départ to the country in 2027.
“Britain has always welcomed the Tour with enthusiasm and pride, and this collaboration across England, Scotland, and Wales promises to make the event even more special.”
The Tour started in Leeds in 2014, going through Harrogate, York and Sheffield before a third stage which went through Cambridge and London.
The race as it came to Yorkshire in 2014[/caption]
Edinburgh’s Royal mile is a picturesque setting for the festival[/caption]
The financial benefit of it was estimated at £128m of economic benefit for the host areas overall, with £102m for Yorkshire and £30m for Cambridgeshire, Essex and London with £19.5m for London.
Six times since the turn of the millennium the overall winner of the yellow jersey has hailed from the UK, with Chris Froome winning four times and Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas both winning once.
But no Scot has ever won the race – with the fourth place finish by Robert Millar, now Philippa York, in the general classification back in 1984 the highest placed Scottish finisher.
Young Scottish cyclist Oscar Onley was selected for his first Tour de France 12 months ago, finishing a creditable 39th.
He said: “The Tour de France coming to Scotland is really exciting and can have a huge impact on inspiring people to get on bikes and potentially start a new wave of talent coming out of Scotland.
“Scotland has hosted the Tour of Britain a few times over the past years and always puts on a good show, Le Tour offers a great opportunity to showcase the country on a bigger scale.
“It’s still a long way off obviously but it would be a dream to be on the start line in Edinburgh.”
In 2024, Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar confirmed his dominance of the sport as he won his third yellow jersey.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
