Britain becomes host for Tour de France that will pass Rhiwbina

Great Britain has officially become the next host of the Tour de France, ahead of next year's race, when the final Grand Départ stage will pass Rhiwbina (4 July) on its way to the finish in Cardiff city centre.

The Grand Départ Trophy was handed over in Paris, following the final stage of this year's race.

The handover from 2026 host Barcelona formally confirms Britain as the next host of both the men's and women's Grands Départs in 2027 – the first time both have started from the same country outside France.

The trophy was presented on the Tour de France final podium on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, from this year's Grand Départ hosts Barcelona, by Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona, and received by British cycling greats Lizzie Deignan MBE and Sir Mark Cavendish.

It's now less than a year until Britain hosts what is set to be the largest free-to-watch sporting event in the nation's history.

Millions of spectators are expected to line the routes of the Grand Départ course through Britain next summer - with stage three taking the riders through Wales from Welshpool to Cardiff, including the 'Côte de Caerffili' before passing along Rhiwbina's eastern boundary, down Thornhill Road and Caerphilly Road ahead of the finish in Cardiff.

The Tour will be covered on free-to-view TV via Channel 5.

Sir Mark said: "I built my whole career around Le Tour de France. It's not simply a bike race, it's an event that captivates everyone that both participates and spectates. A street party over many kilometres of colour, noise and speed.

"Having raced in 2007 and 2014 in the UK, I know first hand how amazing the British public are at Le Tour and can't wait to see it on an even bigger scale with both races next year. Taking this trophy back to Britain tonight means a lot."

The Tour de France has visited the UK several times before - in 1974, 1994, 2007, and 2014, but 2027 will be its first time in Wales or Scotland.

If you'd like to volunteer to help on the event, applications are open here until 1 September, for anyone aged 16 and over, from all backgrounds and levels of experience.

For more information on all of the stages, the JOY social impact programme, and to sign up for the Grand Départ GB newsletter for all of the latest news, visit letourgb.com