July 07, 2026 - 167 views
Wales is aiming to become a world-leading cycling tourism destination as the countdown begins to the country hosting a stage of the Tour de France for the first time, with North Wales also preparing to welcome another major international cycling event.
First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth marked the one-year countdown to the historic Tour de France stage by taking to two wheels in Caerphilly, setting out the Welsh Government’s ambition to create a lasting cycling legacy for communities, businesses and visitors across the country.
The Tour de France will arrive in Wales on Sunday 4 July 2027, when Stage 3 of the race starts from Y Trallwng (Welshpool) in Mid Wales before heading through some of the nation’s most dramatic landscapes, including Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, before finishing in Cardiff.
But the build-up to the world’s biggest cycling race will also see North Wales take centre stage, with Llandudno set to welcome the Tour of Britain Women as part of a growing calendar of major cycling events in the region.
The event will bring some of the world’s best female riders to North Wales, showcasing the area’s coastal roads, challenging climbs and spectacular scenery to an international audience.
The arrival of top-level cycling events is seen as a major opportunity to inspire more people to get on their bikes and highlight North Wales as a destination for riders of all abilities, from elite competitors to families exploring traffic-free routes.
First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth said the Tour de France represented a unique chance to showcase Wales globally.
He said: “For the first time in its history, Wales will host a stage of the world’s largest annual free-to-attend sporting event, providing an unprecedented opportunity to showcase our nation.
“With a year to go, cycling fans will be beyond excited ahead of the Tour coming to Wales. This is a brilliant opportunity to showcase Wales as a world-leading destination for cyclists of all abilities, with fantastic cycle routes and world-class hospitality.”
The Welsh Government says it wants to build on the momentum created by major cycling events and encourage more visitors to explore Wales by bike, creating long-term benefits for local communities and businesses.
In North Wales, areas such as Conwy, Gwynedd and Denbighshire have already developed strong reputations among cyclists, with challenging road climbs, mountain bike trails and scenic routes attracting riders from across the UK and beyond.
The region’s combination of mountains, coastline and historic towns makes it a natural fit for Wales’ ambition to become a leading cycling destination.
Welsh cycling legend Geraint Thomas, who has been appointed Wales’ Cycling Ambassador ahead of the 2027 Tour de France, said the country’s landscapes and roads had helped shape his own career.
Speaking from the Tour de France Fan Zone in Barcelona, he said: “Wales is made for bikes. It’s a place that often surprises people when they experience it for themselves.
“These roads and landscapes shaped me as a rider and played a huge part in making me who I am today. With world-class road climbs, incredible mountain biking and traffic-free family trails taking you through some stunning scenery and welcoming towns and villages, Wales offers something for every rider.”
The Tour de France route itself will pass through Llandrindod Wells, Llanfair-ym-Muallt (Builth Wells) and Aberhonddu (Brecon), before tackling eight categorised climbs, including the Côte de Rhigos and the Côte de Caerphilly, on the way to Cardiff.
The Welsh stage is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of spectators and will form part of one of the largest free-to-attend sporting events ever staged in Wales.
The Welsh Government is also looking to maximise the wider tourism and economic benefits of cycling, including attracting more visitors, supporting hospitality businesses and encouraging more people to take up cycling.
Businesses across Wales are being encouraged to join the Cyclist Welcome scheme, helping visitors identify accommodation and services designed with cyclists in mind.
The ambition is that events such as the Tour de France and Tour of Britain Women will leave a legacy long after the riders have crossed the finish line — creating more opportunities for communities, clubs, businesses and the next generation of cyclists.
With major races heading to both South and North Wales, the coming years are set to put Welsh cycling firmly in the spotlight.
