Wednesday August 26th 2026
Tour de France trophy
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A glimpse of the iconic Tour de France trophy will be on offer next month in Berwickshire ahead of the legendary event coming to the Borders in the summer of 2027.
Spectators at the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men in Earlston will have the chance to see the Tour de France Grand Départ trophy and find out more about the visit of one of the world’s biggest sporting events in July next year.
The trophy will be on display within the Tour Village fan zone in Earlston on Sunday 6 September, when some of the top professional cyclists will be competing for victory over a 156km stage which starts and finishes in the town and passes through on two other occasions during the day.
The Grand Départ trophy was handed over to British cycling legends Lizzie Deignan and Mark Cavendish at the conclusion of this year’s Tour de France.
It is touring hosts of the six 2027 Grand Départ stages in Scotland, England and Wales.
Councillor Scott Hamilton, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Economic Growth and Developing the Borders, said: “This is our first time hosting the final stage of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men and, with stage winners from this year’s Tour de France expected to be competing, it will be an incredible day of racing action and a fantastic spectacle for residents and visitors which should not to be missed.
“With thousands of people expected in Earlston throughout the day for the Tour of Britain it is fantastic that we’re also able to host the Tour de France Grand Départ trophy and help people learn more about next year’s Tour de France in the Scottish Borders.
“For those wanting to help deliver next year’s Tour de France, applications to become a volunteer JOY Maker close on Tuesday 1 September 2026. To find out more and apply, visit www.letourgb.com/volunteer.”
Departing towards Smailholm, the riders will head towards Kelso, turning off just before the town to take in Hume, Greenlaw, Charterhall and Duns.
A challenging sector then faces the riders in the Lammermuir Hills, passing the Whiteadder Reservoir before a climb to Redstone Rig and Duddy Bank.
After descending into Greenlaw and on to Gordon, the race heads back to Earlston.
The riders will then have two circuits of a 19km lap, taking in Smailholm, before the race concludes in Earlston and the next Lloyds Tour of Britain men’s champion is crowned.
Spectator parking in Earlston will be available at Earlston Rugby Club and Borders Pet Rescue’s Bramble’s Field, both located just off the A68.
But spectators are requested not to park within residential areas of Earlston to avoid congestion and impact on local residents.
Recent editions of the Tour of Britain Men have attracted some of the top professional cycling teams and riders, including world and Olympic champions across a range of disciplines, such as Wout Van Aert, Remco Evenepoel, Tom Pidcock and Julian Alaphilippe.
Kelso’s Oscar Onley competed on home soil in the 2022 and 2024 races, with Peebles’ Callum Thornley spending much of the Scottish Borders stage in 2024 at the front of the race.
More information and event details can be found at www.scotborders.gov.uk/tourofbritain.
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