The Welsh Government has committed £4.5 million to cycling tourism infrastructure ahead of the 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ, with new facilities planned across Wales.
Announced on Sunday, July 26, as the 2026 Tour reached its final day, the funding is meant to make the event's impact last beyond the race itself. The Welsh stage of the Grand Départ is expected to draw more than one million visitors and to reach a worldwide TV audience of 150 million in 190 countries.
The new programme will create cycling hubs and smaller micro-hubs around Cardiff and across Wales, backed by new signage with proposed facilities including cycle parking, e-bike charging points, maintenance stands, water provisions, bike hire and visitor information among other key ideas.
Wales hosts just one of three stages in the UK for the men’s race next year with stage three starting in Welshpool (Y Trallwng in Welsh) and finishing in the capital Cardiff (Caerdydd). The other stages are Edinburgh to Carlisle and Keswick to Liverpool while a few weeks later the women’s race kicks off in Leeds and heads to Manchester before riding to Sheffield for stage two and finishing the UK trip with a team time trial around London.
Geraint Thomas, the former Tour de France winner and Wales Cycling Ambassador, described the Grand Départ as a major chance to broaden cycling participation and tourism.
“The Tour de France Grand Départ is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for cycling in Wales,” Thomas said. “This investment in lasting infrastructure means more people, whether seasoned cyclists or those just starting out, will be able to enjoy everything Wales has to offer on two wheels, long after the race has finished.”
Funding will span two financial years
The investment will come from the Welsh Government’s ‘Brilliant Basics’ capital fund, with £2 million available in 2026 and 2027 with a further £2.5 million added in 2027 to 2028. Individual projects will be taken on by local authorities and national park authorities with applications opening on August 10th this year, closing on September 25th at 1pm with approved proposals having to improve visitor experiences and directly benefit communities that the new facilities are built.
The hubs are intended to support existing road, mountain bike, gravel and leisure routes across Wales, including locations away from the Tour course. The Welsh Government has not yet confirmed where individual hubs will be located.
Adam Price MS, Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, said the government wanted major events to leave infrastructure in place after spectators and teams had departed.
“I am determined that when Wales hosts major events of this scale, we put strong legacy plans in place so the benefits are felt long after the event itself,” Price said.
“The Tour de France will give us a unique platform to promote Wales on the world stage, attract visitors and investment, encourage healthier and more active lifestyles, and create lasting opportunities for communities and businesses across Wales.”
The successful projects will be selected after applications close in September, with the first £2 million scheduled for the financial year preceding the 2027 Grand Départ.
Cover image credit: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
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