Ripon and Pateley Bridge will be in spotlight for key stage of 2026 Tour of Britain cycling event
The stage routes have been revealed for the 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain and the route will include some of the Harrogate district’s most well-known and historic locations.
The riders lining up for the 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Men will be in for a challenging contest racing from Lincoln to the Scottish Borders across the five stages of this year’s event.
The world’s best riders will face 910.3km (565 miles) of racing across the stages which start in Lincolnshire, before moving up the coast to East Yorkshire, then into North Yorkshire, before heading to the Scottish Borders for its conclusion.
Stage Four is the one to get excited about for cycling fans in the Harrogate district.
Running from Helmsley to Leyburn on Saturday, September 5, the area is renowned for its challenging routes and passionate fans, with stage four expected to be a pivotal moment in deciding the 2026 General Classification winner as the riders take on the 170.5km with 2459m of ascent for the hardest stage of the 2026 Tour.
Starting in the market town of Helmsley in the North York Moors National Park, the race will head through Easingwold, Boroughbridge, and the cathedral city of Ripon before entering the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
A challenging climb out of Greenhow Bank out of Pateley Bridge (4km at 7,2% average gradient), paves the way for the peloton head to Grassington, before it weaves its way up Wharfedale towards Buckden and Cray.
Taking in the spectacular scenery, the riders climb Kidstones (2.9km at 6.3% average gradient), whose maximum 12.6% gradients featured in both the 2014 Tour de France opening stage and the men’s road race at the 2019 UCI cycling world championships, before heading to the iconic Aysgarth Falls.
The stage then tackles the climbs of Greets Moss (4.4km at 6.9% average gradient) and Grinton Moor (4.4km at 5.3% average gradient) in quick succession, before the race reaches a thrilling conclusion in Leyburn which is hosting a finish to the Lloyds Tour of Britain for the first time, on what is sure to be a memorable day's racing.
Information: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/