Borders cyclist Oscar Onley tells of excitement over Tour de France making Scottish debut and coming to his home region
Borders cyclist Oscar Onley has told of his excitement about next year’s Tour de France passing within 11 miles of his home-town of Kelso following the announcement today, October 22, of the full route the 2,162-mile race will take.
Next year’s tour, the 114th since the race’s launch in 1903, will be the first ever to come to Scotland, though England has hosted the event four times previously – a single stage in Devon in 1974, two stages in East Sussex and Hampshire in 1994 and two grand departs, one from London in 2007 and another from West Yorkshire in 2014.
Onley, with English-based team Netcompany Ineos since December last year, is cock-a-hoop about the world’s most famous cycling race not only finally making it to Scotland 123 years on from its first staging but also having the lion’s share of its 114-mile opening stage from Edinburgh to Cumbria go through his home region, and he’s hoping to get the chance to take part for a third time after missing out due to a shoulder injury this year, having finished 39th in 2024 and fourth in 2025.
“It is something really special to have the grand depart in Scotland in 2027,” the 24-year-old, born in London but brought up in the Borders, told his team’s Facebook page.
“My first dream in cycling was just to go to the Tour de France and I realised that dream a few years ago in 2024 and I went back the year after with quite a bit of success, which meant a lot to me, but I never dreamed of having a Tour de France going so close to my home, with France and Scotland obviously not being exactly close.
“It’s something I’m really looking forward to and it kind of feels like a bit of a full-circle moment to be coming back to the roads that I grew up training on when I was ten or 11 years old. I’m really excited for it.”
Having been born in October 2002 and only four when the tour set off from his birthplace city 19 years ago, 2014’s grand depart from Leeds is his earliest memory of the tour taking place this side of the English Channel and he says he can’t wait to see next year’s follow-up being given an equally warm welcome.
“I don’t remember so much about the grand depart in Yorkshire in 2014,” he said.
“I didn’t go there in person but I do remember watching it on TV and I think the thing that stands out most for me from when I was watching it and for riders I’ve spoken to who experienced it was just the crowds during those days.
“Everyone I’ve spoken to has mentioned the crowds that came out to watch the race that year.
“With any big sporting event in the UK, the public really get behind whatever sport it is, so I expect the same next year, and to have that in Scotland as well is extra special.
“2014’s grand depart and the Olympics in 2012 are the biggest memories I have of road-cycling in the UK, and my main memories are of the crowds and the flags along the side of the road. It’s something I think will stick with all the riders for a long time.
“I think fans will really get behind the tour on that first day, starting in Edinburgh, and I hope to see a lot of Scottish flags out, which I’m sure I will.
“Whenever I do a race and see a Scottish flag, I always take a moment to recognise it’s there but maybe I won’t have time to recognise every flag during that stage, but it’s definitely something that means a lot to me.”
After setting off from Edinburgh on Friday, July 2, and heading south through the Midlothian, the first of 21 stages making up 2027’s tour will arrive in the Borders near Heriot and spend its next 70-plus miles in the region, going via Innerleithen, Galashiels, Selkirk, Ashkirk and Hawick, including a climb at Melrose and sprint at Newcastleton.
Galashiels and district councillor Euan Jardine, Scottish Borders Council’s leader, is every bit as excited as Onley about the tour coming this way, saying: “It is a real honour for the Borders to host the majority of stage one of the 2027 Tour de France.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our communities to witness and celebrate one of the world’s greatest sporting events on our doorstep.
“The race will also shine a global spotlight on the south of Scotland, showcasing our stunning landscapes and reinforcing our reputation as Scotland’s leading cycling destination.
“We are particularly excited that Melrose will feature the stage’s only official categorised climb while Newcastleton will host the intermediate sprint on stage one.
“Both locations will provide fantastic opportunities for spectators to experience the race atmosphere and be part of cycling history.
“With just 250 days to go, excitement is building across the region, and we look forward to welcoming tens of thousands of visitors to the Borders.
“From the only categorised climb of stage one in Melrose to the intermediate sprint in Newcastleton, spectators will be at the heart of the action as riders compete for crucial points towards the iconic red polka dot and green jerseys.”
Scottish Cycling chief executive Nick Rennie added: “Today’s full route announcement only adds further excitement to the prospect of the Tour de France grand depart starting in Scotland next summer.
“With 253 days until that momentous occasion, Scottish Cycling are working with a range of partners to ensure we make the most of what is arguably the most significant moment in cycling history in Scotland.
“Our job is to encourage as many people and communities to get involved in the race as possible, whether that’s lining the streets, getting on a bike for the first time or being inspired to strive to be the next Oscar Onley.”