“I hope it will have a big effect on the next generation”: Scottish star Oscar Onley relishes British Grand Départ for 2027 Tour de France

Oscar Onley will have an extra reason to make his mark at the 2027 Tour de France, with the race set to begin in Scotland, close to the region where the Netcompany INEOS leader grew up. The Scot is already looking forward to the occasion, which he hopes will inspire a new generation of cyclists across Britain.

The 2027 edition will start in Edinburgh on July 2, before the peloton travels through Scotland, England and Wales for three opening stages on British roads. The complete route was unveiled on Thursday, October 22, giving riders a clearer picture of what awaits them next summer and adding to the anticipation surrounding a Grand Départ with particular significance for Onley.

“It's something very special for me and for the team in general. These first stages in the United Kingdom will bring a lot of exposure to cycling in Britain. I hope it will have a big effect on the next generation,” Onley said.

Onley is also aware that the excitement surrounding the Grand Départ can bring additional pressure. “There are a lot of difficult roads, but I think the ones we have to ride are a little easier. But the first stage of the Tour de France is always very special. There is always much more tension than usual,” he explained.

The route unveiled on Thursday confirms that the 2027 Tour will begin farther north than any previous edition in the race's history. The opening three days will take the peloton from Scotland into England before the race concludes its British visit in Wales.

The first stage will start in Edinburgh and finish in Carlisle after 183 kilometers. Riders will head south through Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, with the Côte de Melrose providing the day's principal categorized climb before the route crosses into England. The terrain could offer an opportunity for sprinters to contest the first stage victory and the first yellow jersey.

Stage two will begin in Keswick, in the Lake District, and travel 224 kilometers to Liverpool. The route combines the region's rolling roads with a longer run toward the finish, making it another potentially attractive day for fast finishers, depending on how the teams control the race.

The final British stage will take place on July 4, with a 223-kilometer journey from Welshpool to Cardiff. The terrain in Wales is expected to provide a more demanding challenge. The race is scheduled to finish in Paris on July 25, with the final stage once again including the Montmartre climb.

Onley also recalled watching the Tour's previous British Grand Départ in 2014, when the race began in Leeds. “I remember watching it on television. The most memorable thing was the crowds. I think it will be the same next year. The public in Britain really gets behind any sporting event,” he said.

The 2014 opening in Yorkshire demonstrated the scale of public interest that the Tour can generate in Britain, with large crowds lining the roads and a significant boost in visibility for cycling.

The 2027 edition will also be a major moment for British cycling more broadly. The Tour's international audience offers an opportunity to introduce the sport to people who may not regularly follow professional racing, while the presence of a home rider with general classification ambitions could help draw further attention to the event.