Free Tour de France Femmes viewing in Derbyshire on 31 July

demoduck.co.uk editorial team 2026-07-31 12:29 3 min read

Professional cyclists racing in a peloton on a sunny day in the UK.

Derbyshire will host the world’s leading female cyclists on Saturday 31 July 2027, when Stage 2 of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift crosses the county between Manchester and Sheffield. The professional race will be free to watch, with the general public able to follow it from communities and roads along the confirmed Derbyshire route.

Derbyshire County Council says thousands of spectators are expected to watch in person, while the race will also put the county’s landscapes and communities before an international television audience. Local preparations are being supported by the East Midlands Combined County Authority.

Stage 2 will cross towns, villages and Peak District roads

The Derbyshire section will pass through or showcase New Mills, Whaley Bridge, Buxton, Tideswell, Bradwell, Castleton, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Hayfield and Glossop. Riders will then cross Snake Pass towards Sheffield.

Winnats Pass is also among the roads named for Stage 2. Together with Snake Pass, it will bring the race through some of the Peak District’s most recognisable terrain rather than confining spectators to a single start or finish venue.

That spread gives residents and visitors several communities from which to follow the event, although precise spectator areas and local access arrangements have not yet been published. Further route information will be released as planning progresses.

Free viewing is confirmed, but detailed timings will follow

The race is listed as a free-to-watch spectator event. No start time, booking instructions, detailed transport arrangements or accessibility information have been provided at this stage, so spectators will need to wait for later announcements before finalising travel or access plans.

Road closures will be required for an event of this scale. The council has not yet identified affected roads or closure periods, but says residents, businesses and communities will be kept informed as arrangements develop.

Free Tour de France Femmes viewing in Derbyshire on 31 July

Councillor Alan Graves, leader of Derbyshire County Council, said the event could bring visitors into local towns and villages while encouraging more people to take up cycling and physical activity. He also acknowledged that traffic management and careful preparation would be necessary.

A £2.4 million funding plan will support preparations

The council’s Cabinet has given approval to initially accept a £2.4 million grant from the East Midlands Combined County Authority. The proposed funding remains subject to final approvals and the submission of a final business case.

If completed, the funding arrangements will support traffic management, road resurfacing, safety measures, operational requirements and community engagement. The council is also taking steps to formalise its position as a host authority.

Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward has encouraged residents who want to participate beyond spectating to become Joy Maker volunteers. The stated roles include welcoming visitors, helping along the route and contributing to the race-day atmosphere; readers can also see how Joy Maker volunteering is being organised in Leeds.

Over the coming year, Derbyshire County Council will work with race organisers, neighbouring authorities, emergency services, the combined authority and local communities. The next public milestones will be further route details and confirmed information about Derbyshire’s involvement, road closures and spectator planning.

Source: Derbyshire County Council News

Context & actions About this article

Source check How this preview was checked

The date, Derbyshire route and planning information were checked against the council’s published notice and supplied event details.

Checks

Matched the confirmed race date to Saturday 31 July 2027.
Kept the named Derbyshire communities, Winnats Pass and Snake Pass to the published route...
Preserved the conditional status of the £2.4 million grant and final business case.
Identified the missing start time and detailed road-closure information without estimating...

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