2027 will be the first time both the men’s and women’s Grand Departs have taken place in the same country outside France.

It will mark the first time the Tour de France Femmes has ever started outside mainland Europe.

The Tours are the world’s biggest free-to-watch sporting events and British Cycling says it is looking to recruit 7,000 volunteers to help with route operations, spectator support and community engagement.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said staging the races is forecast to boost the UK economy by £150m.

“Together the races will be the most accessible major sporting spectacle ever held in Britain,” the DCMS said.

Sports minister Stephanie Peacock has announced £32m of funding to support the staging of the Grand Departs and their legacy.

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said the races will “will unite the nations and show off the best of Britain” and “give people reason to feel proud of where they live”.

British Cycling chief executive Jon Dutton said he hopes the six stages can boost the sport’s popularity and “create lasting change for communities right across Britain”.

In December, the organisation’s latest company accounts revealed its member count had fallen by more than 11,000 people in a year., external