A LEADING county councillor has written to the Director of the Tour de France to ask for Monmouthshire to host part of the Grand Départ in 2027.

Several legs of the 2027 Tour de France are set to take place in the UK in two years, with a section each in Scotland, Wales and England.

It is expected that the Welsh stage will end in Cardiff, but the route has yet to be decided.

Monmouthshire Council Conservative leader Richard John has written in French to Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France, to ask whether the route could pass through Monmouthshire or the county could host the start.

Describing Monmouthshire as:”Un comté aux collines verdoyantes et aux paysages pittoresques,’ (a county with green rolling hills and picturesque countryside)”, the Tory Leader invites Tour de France bosses to engage with the council over its route planning.

TOUR DE FRANCE

Fun facts about Tour De France:

  • What is it?
  • The world’s most prestigious cycling race
  • Where is it held?
  • Mainly in France but passes through neighbouring countries.
  • When is it held?
  • It is held annually for three weeks in July.
  • This year It will start in Lille on July 5 and finish in Paris on July 27.
  • What is the distance?
  • It is estimated to be around 3,500 km but it can vary each year.
  • Who was the previous winner in 2024?
  • The previous winner for Tour de France was Tadej Progačar.
  • Tadej earnt his third Tour de France title.

Cllr John said: “It was great to learn that Wales will host part of the Tour de France in 2027, but we would love to see a route that illustrates Wales’ diverse landscape.

“We know the route will end in Cardiff City Centre, but it would also be great to showcase the green rolling hills of the Wye Valley, the rugged mountains of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park as well as communities in the South Wales Valleys.”