In July 2027, the Tour de France returns to British soil in spectacular type — and this time it brings three thrilling levels proper throughout the UK, together with an epic experience by Lancashire that may cross inside a mile of our Merlin Cycles Chorley showroom.
Whether or not you’re a seasoned street racer fan, a weekend rider or a neighborhood explorer excited to witness historical past, right here’s your definitive information to the opening levels of the Tour — plus recommendations on tips on how to benefit from the motion when the peloton comes rolling by.
🥇 Stage 1 — Edinburgh to Carlisle (Friday 2 July 2027) – 184km
The 2027 Tour de France kicks off Friday 2 July from the historic metropolis of Edinburgh, Scotland — a becoming begin for what can be a very unforgettable Grand Départ right here in Nice Britain. This opening stage covers roughly 184 km of various terrain because the peloton heads south by the Scottish Borders towards Carlisle, England. Anticipate a mixture of quick flats, rolling countryside and one notable climb within the Eildon Hills that would check riders early within the race.
⚡ Race dynamics: This stage could go well with robust all-rounders and opportunistic breakaways as groups jostle for place.
📍 Key moments: Early GC battles may unfold on the Côte de Melrose climb — an ideal showcase of power at 2.2km lengthy at a mean of 6.7% earlier than the long term south and into the border city of Carlisle.
🚴♂️ Stage 2 — Keswick to Liverpool (Saturday 3 July 2027) – 223km
That is the stage that may put Chorley — and the north west — on the worldwide biking map. Stage 2 begins in Keswick within the coronary heart of the Lake District Nationwide Park and heads south and west earlier than ending on The Strand in Liverpool — a end befitting one of many world’s most iconic races.
🌄 Highlights of Stage 2
- Scenic climbs & traditional terrain: The riders will traverse England’s most dramatic pure terrain — together with sections alongside Thirlmere, Grasmere, Rydal Water and Windermere — giving the peloton an actual exercise earlier than they head towards the coast.
Lancashire’s position: Round 80 miles of this stage run by Lancashire, placing locations like Morecambe, Lancaster, the Forest of Bowland and Chorley proper within the race highlight.
Climbs & sprints: Anticipate punchy climbs just like the Côte de Jubilee Tower close to Lancaster — a first-rate spot for climbers to animate the race and presumably shake up the final classification, or our native Côte de Belmont with the quick and twisty descent of Sheephouse Lane!
End on Liverpool’s Strand: After the powerful early miles, the route flattens towards one of many UK’s biggest city race finales below Liverpool’s iconic waterfront skyline.
📍 Why Stage 2 Issues to Chorley Riders
For riders, spectators and bike fans in Chorley, Stage 2 is the standout second. As professional riders blaze by the county on Saturday 3 July, roads can be closed, crowds will collect, and this historic occasion will unfold lower than a mile from the Merlin Cycles showroom.
Whether or not you propose to spectate with household or to affix a gaggle experience to catch the race, it’s a uncommon second to see the world’s greatest cyclists reside and in motion so near residence.
🏁 Stage 3 — Welshpool to Cardiff (Sunday 4 July 2027) – 223km
The UK leg wraps up on Sunday 4 July with Stage 3 — a demanding parcours from Welshpool in Powys to the Welsh capital Cardiff. The primary time the Tour has been to the house nation of 2018 winner Geraint Thomas!
This stage options a number of categorised climbs by south Wales, together with steep efforts like Côte de Rhigos and Côte de Caerffili — good terrain for puncheurs and breakaway specialists.
It’s a stage that rewards opportunism and climbing power, and with a dramatic end in Cardiff, there’s each likelihood the GC may very well be reshaped earlier than the race heads again to France.
- 🧗 Terrain: Sequence of medium mountain climbs with potential for choice and GC strikes.
🏙️ End: Anticipate a spectacular and emotional end in Cardiff, with crowds and ambiance worthy of a serious Tour day.
📅 What This Means for Riders & Followers
The 2027 Tour de France opening levels supply extra than simply racing:
Historic UK Grand Départ: Each the boys’s and ladies’s Excursions begin within the UK — a primary of its variety and an enormous second for British biking.
Native influence: Lancashire, together with the roads round Chorley, can be showcased to a world TV viewers — an incredible alternative for native financial system and biking tradition.
Spectator pleasure: Whether or not you’re biking out to help the riders or planning to assemble on the town with fellow followers, this can be a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle you received’t need to miss. The Merlin employees already can’t include their pleasure and planning the place to go watch!
🎯 Closing Ideas — Put together for Tour Magic
The primary three levels of the 2027 Tour de France mix massive metropolis spectacle, traditional UK climbing terrain, and native hero moments that may resonate with riders and followers alike.
Particularly right here within the Chorley and Lancashire area, Stage 2 is a landmark occasion — and we at Merlin Cycles couldn’t be extra excited to share the street with you because the world’s biggest race rolls by our yard.
Keep tuned for updates on route particulars, spectator spots and rideout plans as we get nearer to July 2027!
