In Paris, the course of the Tour de France 2027 presented, and it's one to look forward to. Three days of Great Britain, a sprinter in the first yellow jersey, 71 kilometers of time trial divided into two time trials, and a finale in the Pyrenees with the Tourmalet and the Col du Portet. The Tour starts on Friday 2 July in Scotland and ends on Sunday 25 July in Paris, again with the cobblestones of Montmartre.
Week 1: from Scotland to Brittany
The opening 185-kilometer stage in Scotland is flat: the first yellow jersey almost certainly goes to a sprinter. Day two, with 2,800 meters of elevation gain through the Lake District, could also turn into a mass sprint, because the final stage isn’t difficult. On day three in Wales that’s different. The final two-kilometer climb at over eight percent is made for punchers. Think of a new duel between Van der Poel and Pogačar.
After a rest day and the crossing to France, the Tour continues on Tuesday, July 6, in Normandy, with a steep finish in Cherbourg. In Brittany, there is still a stage for strong riders like Mads Pedersen and Wout van Aert, with a final climb of 1.7 kilometers at 6.2 percent. Between Vannes and Angers (193 km), the sprinters will then have an easy opportunity.
An early time trial and the Grand Colombier
On day seven, the first real test for the GC riders follows: a time trial. 38 kilometers. Remco Evenepoel could take yellow there, and Paul Seixas will also want to put pressure on. After a long, hilly 224-kilometer race, the first uphill finish follows on day nine, on the long and difficult course. Col du Grand Colombier. A place where Tadej Pogačar likes to hit his shot.
Week 2: The Alps, Mende and the World Cup climbing
After the second rest day, the peloton heads from Annecy to Sallanches. The decisive climb there is the The Côte de Domancy, The Col du Pré and the Montée de Bisanne will follow a day later, with the finish in Les Saisies. Those who want to feel the emotion themselves can take part in the Étape du Tour on July 11, following exactly the same route.
Then take a breath. Chambéry – Valence is ideal for a sprint or the sprinters; Montpellier is a sure mass sprint. In Mende, the well-known short final climb, the Montée Laurent Jalabert, awaits after a passage over the Mont Aigoual. Sunday, July 18, seems calm without any categorized climbs, but it goes up and down all day: a typical day for sprinters.
Week 3: time trial, Pau and the Pyrenees
The final week begins with the second individual time trial. Together with that of week one, that is 71 time trial kilometers, more than in recent years. Good news for those who want to see Pogačar under pressure for longer. In Pau, the sprinters can have one more go.
Then the queen's race: over the Tourmalet to the finish line Col du Portet, With a total of 5,400 meters of elevation gain. A day later, a shorter route follows without any uphill sections, but with steep slopes. Interestingly, this is already the last chance for the climbers. The penultimate day is in fact a flat route of almost 200 kilometers, a strange twist. Perhaps a gift for the sprinters, now that the final stage in Paris goes over Montmartre again and is therefore no longer a real sprint race.
Our perspective
A Tour that is different from recent years: few ascents up the mountain, but plenty of time trial kilometers and enough sprints and attacks. The winner will be a climber who can also race time trial. And with a flat final day and Montmartre on Sunday, there is still a surprise in store. We say: that will be three weeks of enjoyment.
Still excited about the Tour? Castelli is back in 2027 The yellow sweater.
Source: It's Koers