OFFICIAL | 2027 Tour de France starts in Edinburgh - First 3 stages of British Grand Depart revealed

The first three stages of the 2027 Tour de France have been revealed. Cycling's biggest race returns to Great Britain for a Grand Depart in Scotland; whilst England and Wales will each have stages race through their territory.

The Grand Depart in Edinnburgh has been known for a long time, but know we learn about the profiles of the opening three stages of the 2027 Tour, which quickly begins to take shape.

Stage 1 will start in Scotland's capital of Edinburgh, where the Grand Depart will take place. The first stage of the race will be a day for the sprinters to succeed in, with a flat course leading the riders down to England and into Carlisle.

Stage 2 will fully take place in English territory, featuring 223 kilometer between Keswick and Liverpool, another day for the sprinters, albeit with some more climbing and distance added into the mix.

Stage 3 will take place within the borders of Wales and will be a first important day for the overall classification riders. Starting in Welshpool and finishing in Cardiff, the stage will feature 223 kilometers, 3000 meters of climbing and an ascent to Carphilly mountain right before the stage finish.

This year's edition will begin in Barcelona with a team time trial, with a very difficult start to the race featuring several hilly and mountainous stages in the first days as the race heads back into France through the Pyrenees.

In 2028 the Tour will once again begin in France, one of the few occasions this decade, with a start in the Grand-Est very likely, with the city of Reims in the lead as for where the start will be. In 2029 in the meantime the Tour is set to start from the Czech Republic, although Slovenia and Luxembourg are both also making strong bids to host starts in either 2028 or 2029.