EVERYTHING we know so far as Cumbria gears-up for a major role in the Tour de France Grand Départs, a spectacle which will bring elite cyclists to the county and spectators from around the world.
The Tour de France...in Cumbria?
The Grand Départs, or great departure, takes place each year, often abroad, building excitement for the main event, which takes place in France.
2027 is a historic year as both the male and female Grand Départs will take place across Great Britain.
Where in Cumbria and when will the Grand Départs take place?
The men’s Tour de France begins in Edinburgh on Friday July 2, 2027 with the opening stage finishing in Carlisle the same day.
Stage two travels from Keswick on Saturday July 3, 2027 - through the Lake District National Park and Lancashire, to finish on The Strand in Liverpool the same day.
After leaving Keswick at the start of the second stage, riders will head south, passing Thirlmere Reservoir, Grasmere, Rydal Water and Windermere before turning on to the A5074 just south of Bowness.
Cyclist continue-on through the Lyth Valley to the A590 and A6, passing through Milnthorpe and Beetham into Lancashire and into the finish in Liverpool.
Elevation and route challenges
Mummu Cycling, the official tour operator for the Tour de France has produced a detailed breakdown of each stage of the Grand Départs.
It shows that the Scotland-Cumbria border produces a fast finish to the first day of cycling with riders descending into Carlisle after an undulating route and a 6.7 per cent graded climb up the Cote de Melrose.
The first stage takes in 2,000metres of elevation in 185kilometres of racing.
Stage two, beginning in Keswick, is a different tale.
From Keswick to Liverpool, the second race takes in 2,800metres across 223kilometres of cycling.
The start of Stage Two offers the most climbing of the Lake District section, beginning in Keswick at 166metres and remaining between 100m and 200m before a descent into Milnthorpe (46metres).
The real climbing begins in Lancashire with five graded climbs.
What the pundits are saying - Mummu says that while Stage One's journey through the Scottish Borders is "is not brutally mountainous," that is "exactly what makes it dangerous.
"Fast roads, exposed terrain and constant changes in rhythm create opportunities for ambitious riders while keeping the sprinters interested. By the time the race reaches Carlisle, someone will be wearing yellow and the story of the 2027 Tour will have officially begun."
Of Stage Two from Keswick to Liverpool, Mummu said it is "the kind of day that rewards bravery.
"Starting in the heart of the Lake District, the race travels through some of England’s most celebrated cycling terrain before finishing beside Liverpool’s famous waterfront.
"Five categorised climbs create a stage balanced delicately between a breakaway opportunity and a reduced sprint."
It said that July 3 will be "The kind of day where teams begin revealing their intentions. And the kind of day that often produces one of the most entertaining stages of the opening week."
How Cumbria will benefit
40,000 to 50,000 people are expected to descend on Cumbria's Border City on the first day and the lake District's most popular market town on the second day.
John Barradell, Interim Chief Executive of Cumbria Combined Authority said that "events of this scale and magnitude are a fantastic chance to not only showcase Cumbria on a global stage, but also to encourage economic growth and investment within the county on a scale rarely seen.
"Whether you are a keen cyclist, a Sunday peddler or an armchair fanatic, we guarantee this will be a spectacle that everyone can enjoy.
Mr Barradell said: "The Tour de France is exactly the type of exciting event that the new authority is looking to support and help encourage into our county.
"We are now gearing up to work with many more organisers wanting to ride in the slipstream of the tour."
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