Your chance to ride the routes of the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes in 2027 with The Tour 21 and The Route
On World Blood Cancer Day, Cure Leukaemia are delighted to open applications for The Tour 21 and The Route giving amateur cyclists the chance to ride The Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec ZWIFT, raising money for Cure Leukaemia to fund life-saving clinical trials networks for blood cancer patients.
In a historic first, both events will feature a spectacular Grand Départ in the United Kingdom, offering riders the extraordinary opportunity to ride the world’s most iconic cycling routes while raising vital funds for life-saving blood cancer research.
Participants will have the rare privilege of taking on either all or selected stages of these legendary routes, experiencing the same iconic climbs and thrilling descents, with a professional support team to you along the way with a team bus, moto outriders, mechanical and sports therapist support – giving you that pro-rider experience!
The inspiration for these extraordinary challenges dates back over 20 years, when Cure Leukaemia Patron and former England and Crystal Palace footballer Geoff Thomas took on the gruelling Tour de France route after being given the all-clear from blood cancer. Since then, his incredible feat has inspired more than 100 riders from across the globe to tackle the same challenging terrains, raising critical funds for Cure Leukaemia.
Today, that legacy has grown into a diverse and inspiring community. Every year, the peloton brings together a remarkable mix of individuals bound by a single mission: to defeat blood cancer.
On World Blood Cancer Day, be inspired by Morgan Paine, who has signed up to take on The Tour 21 in 2027, after beating blood cancer himself aged just 19. Now aged 27 Morgan is gearing up to conquer the Tour and raise awareness of how vital funding research is:
“After surviving a medically induced coma and years of intense chemotherapy, my passion has always been about pushing boundaries and giving back. Taking on the Tour de France isn’t just the ultimate physical challenge for me; it’s a way to prove that even through the adversity of cancer, you can still achieve your goals, fulfil your passions, and help fund the life-saving research that gave me a second chance at life.”
Every pedal stroke during the 2027 events will directly sustain and expand vital clinical trials infrastructure. Funding from the two events is strategically targeted to drive both paediatric breakthroughs and global clinical progress.
Funding raised through The Tour 21 supports comprehensive Clinical Trials Networks. This infrastructure operates on a global scale, accelerating the development of novel therapies and offering patients immediate access to pioneering treatments, giving them real hope when conventional options have been exhausted.
Funding raised through The Route directly supports the ATICUS Network. This pioneering initiative is dedicated to funding clinical trials that bring newer, less toxic treatments to children currently battling blood cancer, drastically improving their quality of life during recovery.
How to Apply for 2027
You can ride every stage or a select number of stages and be part of a team making a difference to so many people, children and families affected by blood cancer.
The Tour 21 takes place from Friday 25th June to Sunday 18th July 2027.
The Route takes place from Thursday 29th July to Saturday 7th August 2027.
Applications are now officially open to riders worldwide.
For more information and to apply for The Tour 21, visit www.thetour21.co.uk
For more information and to apply for The Route, visit www.theroute.co.uk