Jens Voigt Rides Stage Two of the 2027 Tour De France with Wheelbase
When we got an email from the TREK marketing team inviting us to join former TREK pro road cyclist Jens Voigt on a ride through the Lake District we jumped at the chance. Last year Jens rode the length of the UK taking on Land’s End to John o’ Groats, stopping off at multiple TREK dealers along the way including Wheelbase Lake District. We were blown away by how friendly and entertaining Jens was; hosting a lunch with him before riding north over Kirkstone Pass and beyond was a pure joy and reflecting on that special experience from just over a year ago we were very keen to get involved in Jens’ latest cycling endeavour.
The biggest bicycle race on the planet comes to the UK in 2027. The Grand Depart of the Tour De France starts in Edinburgh next year leaving Scotland’s capital on July 2nd with stage one finishing just over the border in Northern England’s Carlisle. Stage 2 starts in Keswick before heading south through the Lakes, passing nearby Wheelbase Lake District in Staveley, before eventually finishing in Liverpool after navigating some of Lancashire’s most demanding climbs. The third and final stage of the Tour De France’s UK deviation sees riders taking on the challenging mountainous roads of Wales with the stage starting in Welshpool and including categorised climbs along the route before finishing in Wales’s capital Cardiff.
Jens Voigt joined by Wheelbase staff, Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team riders and friends of the store.
With just under a year to go until the Grand Depart Jens Voigt was in the UK to recce each of the three stages to gain insight into what each day would hold in store for the riders taking on the 2027 tour De France. Riding the first three stages in succession Jens would use this experience to inform his television commentary next year when he’ll be on the back of a media motorbike providing first-hand punditry from inside the race.
Jens Voigt was riding the 2nd stage of the 2027 Tour De France from Keswick to Liverpool.
After we got that initial email from TREK we quickly pulled together a plan to join Jens and ride alongside him through the Lake District for a portion of Stage 2 from Keswick to Liverpool. We would meet him on the shores of Windermere and chaperone him through the South Lakes before treating him to a well-earned coffee stop at Rivers & Roads in Milnthorpe before Jens and a few of our group would continue with him towards Lancaster and the fearsome climb of Jubilee Tower while the rest of us looped back to Wheelbase Lake District.
After meeting Jens at the lakeside in Windermere we set off down the Lyth Valley towards Milnthorpe.
On Friday 7th of August, with the 200km Edinburgh to Carlisle stage already in his legs, Jens rolled up to the Wheelbase group full of enthusiasm and a little trepidation as he considered the hilly 223km route to Liverpool ahead of him. A group of fifteen or so riders had come together to ride with Jens, including Wheelbase staff from our Lake District and Ilkley stores, several local club riders and Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team riders Tom Martin and Mitch McLoughlin. Team Manager Stu Reid jumped in the team car with our photographer Dan Monaghan to help us capture this special ride. Introductions were made and we quickly got organised and started riding, keen not to delay Jens in the early hours of what would be a very long day on the bike.
The group quickly settled into a rhythm and set a comfortable pace to accompany Jens through the Lake District.
The rolling roads of the Lyth valley where the perfect setting for a fast tempo ride towards Milnthorpe and the group helped distract Jens from the task ahead with some great on-the-bike-conversation. Voigt gave a great account of his ride through Scotland and confidently predicted a sprint finish for Stage 1 while local cyclists highlighted what was to come later in the ride during Stage 2; suggesting the steep climb of Jubilee Tower going into the Trough of Bowland may form the springboard to a breakaway next year which may well stay clear of the peloton until the finish in Liverpool.
With a long day ahead of him Jens appreciated the distraction of riding in a small bunch and the opportunity for good conversation.
On the flatter stretches of road we grabbed the opportunity for a short mid-ride interview with Jens and got some great quotes from the friendly German rider who relayed his own experience of racing and commentating on the Tour De France over the years. It was clear to see his enthusiasm for the 2027 Grand Depart and the first three first stages of the race taking place on UK roads.
Jens and the group enjoyed the smooth roads of the South Lakes.
The group headed towards Milnthorpe for a well-timed coffee stop.
We soon rolled up to Rivers & Roads in Milnthorpe for a well-timed coffee stop. Despite a tight schedule and a long day ahead of him Jens was keen to spend time with the small group of cyclists off the bike; this was a great opportunity for more chat and a chance for photos with the super-friendly former Tour De France Yellow Jersey wearer.
Jens found time for a mid-ride coffee with us at Rivers & Roads in Milnthorpe.
Jens’ shared plenty of entertaining stories about his time as a professional cyclist.
Jens continued to entertain the group off the bike with some great tales of his time as a professional road cyclist. He took the time to field questions and gave some great advice and insight to our young Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team riders. After plenty of great coffee and cake it was time for Jens to jump back on his bike and head south toward Lancaster, joined by a small number of riders who would help guide him through the city and onto the quiet roads leading into the imposing Trough of Bowland.
Tom Martin from the Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli team enjoyed talking about the UK road racing scene with Jens.
Jens went on to finish the gruelling Stage 2 to Liverpool and completed his challenge the following day by taking on the demanding third stage, conquering the mountainous route through Wales to finish in Cardiff on Saturday evening. A HUGE thank you to Jens Voigt for inviting us to join him on his ride through the Lake District; we’re buzzing about the 2027 Tour De France coming to the UK and are looking forward to maybe spotting Jens on the back of the media motorbike as the pros ride through the Lake District next summer.
A huge thank you to Jens Voigt for inviting us to join him on his recce of Stage 2 of the 2027 Tour De France.
All photos by Dan Monaghan