London Mayor Sadiq Khan has backed the British capital to become the "undisputed capital of women's sport" as Marion Rousse prepares to oversee a historic first at the 2027 Tour de France Femmes. The race's first-ever team time trial will take place through central London next summer, with Khan making an ambitious declaration about the city's sporting future and the opportunity to inspire more women and girls to take up cycling.

His comments followed Thursday's official route presentation in Paris, where the complete 18-kilometre London course was unveiled. Scheduled for Sunday 1 August, the stage will start in Whitehall and finish on The Mall, concluding the opening three days of the women's Tour on British soil.

Marion Rousse at the 2027 Tour de France presentation

Sadiq Khan makes bold claim over London's place in women's sport

"This global sporting event will not only cement London's status as the undisputed capital of women's sport, but also inspire more people to take up cycling, as we build a better, greener London for everyone," Khan said in a statement accompanying the route announcement.

His declaration comes ahead of an unprecedented summer for British cycling. For the first time, Britain will host both the men's and women's Tour de France Grands Départs in the same year, with the men's race beginning in Edinburgh on 2 July before the Tour de France Femmes starts in Leeds on 30 July.

The women's peloton will race from Leeds to Manchester and then Manchester to Sheffield before arriving in London, where some of the capital's best-known landmarks will provide the backdrop to the historic team time trial.

"This is the first time that the world's biggest women's cycling race will be held in London and Britain, making this an exciting and historic moment for the sport in our city and country," Khan said. "The heart of our capital will provide an unrivalled backdrop for this spectacular race, taking in some of our world-famous landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square and Tower Bridge."

The circuit will also pass the Tower of London and St Paul's Cathedral, cross Tower Bridge and take riders through Hyde Park before the finish on The Mall.

Beyond the spectacle of the race itself, Khan pointed to London's cycling infrastructure and the growth of its Cycleway network during his time in office.

"London is a cycling city, with 1.5 million bike trips made every day and a Cycleway network that now stretches further than the distance from London to Paris," he explained. "The network has grown five-fold since I was elected Mayor, and I'm committed to making it safer and easier for even more women and girls to get on their bikes and enjoy cycling in our capital."

Historic London stage adds another milestone to Marion Rousse's Tour de France Femmes

For race director Marion Rousse, the London team time trial represents another significant development in the Tour de France Femmes' growth since the modern race was launched in 2022. Although the discipline has featured in women's cycling before, this will be its first appearance in the modern Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.

The Frenchwoman will oversee an 18-kilometre test in which teams of seven riders compete collectively against the clock. The combination of high speeds, frequent changes of direction and the need for precise teamwork through London's streets could make it a demanding stage despite its relatively short distance.

There could also be an early consequence for the general classification. With the leading contenders dependent on the strength and organisation of their teammates, the stage offers an opportunity to gain time before the race reaches its decisive mountain stages in France.

Paul Bush, Managing Director of Grand Départ GB 2027, described the prospect of both Tours starting in Britain as "extraordinary" following Thursday's presentation.

"These routes showcase what a spectacular stage Scotland, England and Wales will provide," he said. "The women's team time trial will be such a memorable moment, passing through the heart of London, finishing on The Mall – the first of its kind in the modern history of the race."

The scale of Britain's involvement is reflected in the £32 million of government funding committed towards staging the races and their wider legacy. UK Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock also welcomed the historic double Grand Départ, highlighting the potential impact on women's cycling.

"This will be a historic moment for cycling, as the UK hosts both Grands Départs, including the Tour de France Femmes' first ever women's team time trial through the heart of London," Peacock said. "The route across Scotland, England and Wales will bring out cheering fans and shine a spotlight on women's cycling like never before."

The funding will also support a wider social impact programme, JOY, intended to encourage cycling participation, skills development and community engagement beyond the races themselves.

For the Tour de France Femmes contenders, attention will turn from London's streets to the French roads after the opening three stages. Six further days of racing will follow, culminating in a summit finish on the Puy de Dôme on 7 August, with any advantages established during the historic London team time trial potentially still influencing the battle for the yellow jersey.