Tadej Pogačar: Five Tours, One Goal
Tadej Pogačar, the Slovenian cycling star, secured his fifth victory at the 2026 Tour de France, now setting his sights on an extraordinary sixth win in 2027. The 2027 Tour begins on July 2 when Pogačar will be just 28 years old, still well within the typical peak window for Grand Tour success. While most modern champions often reach their prime in their mid-twenties, Pogačar's physical and mental development suggests he could challenge this norm. When asked about future ambitions, he quipped to Eurosport, 'I don't like clubbing, so let's aim to get out of this club...' referring to 'Le Club des Cinq'—the exclusive group of five-time Tour winners.
Though Pogačar rarely speaks about long-term goals, his words leave little doubt about his intentions. The 2027 Tour's route is yet to be fully revealed, but early whispers and leaks suggest early mountain stages in the Pyrenees that could become key battlegrounds for the overall classification. For now, the path to a historic sixth Tour de France win is wide open for Pogačar, who rides for UAE Team Emirates-XRG.
2027 Grand Départ: A British Double
The 2027 Tour de France will kick off in Edinburgh, marking the first time the men’s and women’s Grand Départs will be held in the same country, on the same weekend. The men's opening stage will stretch over 184km, taking riders through flat roads and offering the chance for sprinters to capture the first yellow jersey. This is a marked shift from the 2026 edition, where the overall leader wasn’t determined until the fifth stage.
The second and third stages will take riders through the hilly terrain of the Lake District into Wales. The 223km journey from Keswick to Liverpool is expected to be one of the longest and most grueling parts of the early race. With over 3,000 meters of elevation gain, the route promises a challenging day. Stage 3 features a final climb just 10 kilometers from the finish at Caerffili, which could trigger early general classification battles and set the tone for the rest of the race.
Ouest France has reported that the Cotentin peninsula in Normandy is likely to host the 'grand retour' stage in 2027. This stage is rumored to loop around the port city of Cherbourg before the race heads south through coastal Brittany. The organizers might choose to include the Pyrenees early, perhaps before the second weekend, to create a dramatic opening phase of racing.
For the decisive mountain stages, the Alps are expected to take center stage. The Col de la Loze via Courchevel has been mentioned as a possible inclusion, continuing its tradition of hosting dramatic finishes. However, no plans have been announced for the return of Alpe d'Huez, a stage that was once a Tour hallmark but has been absent in recent years due to logistical and safety concerns.
Race organizers are reportedly working on measures to improve crowd control in 2027, addressing ongoing issues with hooliganism and overzealous fans that have troubled past editions. Better crowd management is essential to protect riders and maintain the integrity of the race. The combination of a challenging route and well-managed crowds could define the 2027 Tour de France as a unique and memorable event.
