\n<\/p>\n
2027 will be the first time both the men’s and women’s Grand Departs have taken place in the same country outside France.<\/p>\n
It will mark the first time the Tour de France Femmes has ever started outside mainland Europe.<\/p>\n
The Tours are the world’s biggest free-to-watch sporting events and British Cycling says it is looking to recruit 7,000 volunteers to help with route operations, spectator support and community engagement. <\/p>\n
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said staging the races is forecast to boost the UK economy by \u00a3150m.<\/p>\n
“Together the races will be the most accessible major sporting spectacle ever held in Britain,” the DCMS said.<\/p>\n
Sports minister Stephanie Peacock has announced \u00a332m of funding to support the staging of the Grand Departs and their legacy.<\/p>\n
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said the races will “will unite the nations and show off the best of Britain” and “give people reason to feel proud of where they live”.<\/p>\n
British Cycling chief executive Jon Dutton said he hopes the six stages can boost the sport’s popularity and “create lasting change for communities right across Britain”.<\/p>\n
In December, the organisation’s latest company accounts revealed its member count had fallen by more than 11,000 people in a year., external<\/span><\/a> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n