'Incredibly proud' to be hosting Tour of Britain

1 hour ago

Eleanor MaslinEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

News image — Hull will host the stage three start of the 2026 Tour of Britain which will end in Beverley

Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority Several road cyclists dressed in various colours of lycra and helmets are all cycling down a country lane next to a field full of hay bales, with rolling fields behind it. — Hull will host the stage three start of the 2026 Tour of Britain which will end in Beverley

East Yorkshire officials said they are "incredibly proud" to be hosting part of the 2026 Tour of Britain men's cycling race.

Hull will host the stage three start of the event, which attracts top competitors from around the world, on 4 September, with the finish line in Beverley.

The town was used as a stage finish in 2023, when the Tour of Britain previously visited the county, while Hull hosted a stage in 2008.

Anne Handley, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: "Major events like this help put East Yorkshire on the map, inspiring people to discover everything our area has to offer."

Major cycling races that were previously hosted in Beverley include the Tour de Yorkshire in 2016 and 2018, and the C1 para races at the 2019 UCI World Road Racing Championships.

To host the event, a partnership was agreed between British Cycling and Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority, working with Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, as part of an initiative to grow cycling and tourism links in the county.

Getty Images Spectators at a cycling event standing behind a barrier and wearing cycling masks which include a man's face wearing blue cycling glasses and a red, white and blue helmet. Everyone is smiling and holding up their phones at the back. — Officials said they hope the event will attract visitors to Hull and East Yorkshire

Luke Campbell MBE, Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, said bringing the Tour of Britain back to the region was "fantastic news".

He said: "This stage will showcase the best of Hull and Beverley to an international audience and bring people together to enjoy world-class sport.

"Events like this are about more than race day. It supports local businesses and gives us a chance to celebrate the pride we have in our region."

Handley said they were "incredibly proud" to be hosting part of the event.

She said: "The route will highlight the very best of East Yorkshire, from our stunning coastline and beautiful countryside to the Yorkshire Wolds and our historic market towns."

Councillor Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, said:"This showcases again how Hull has become a leading sporting city in the country.

"We look forward to welcoming some of the world's top cyclists to our city and I have no doubt that the route will be lined with spectators to welcome the peloton in Hull."

Getty Images Cyclists racing up a cobbled street, with people standing on a path cheering them on. — Lincoln, known for the gruelling climb up the cobbles of Michaelgate, will host the opening leg of the event

Lincolnshire will kick off the first two stages of the event, with the opening leg starting and finishing in Lincoln, before heading to the coast for the second stage between Boston and Skegness.

Jonathan Day, director of events for British Cycling Ventures, said Lincoln was known for hosting the annual Lincoln Grand Prix, which is the country's longest‑running and biggest single-day road race and features a 656ft (200m) climb up the cobbles of Michaelgate towards the city's cathedral.

Hull will then take over the third stage, heading into the Wolds for the finish in Beverley, before North Yorkshire takes over stage four.

The finish line will be in the market town of Earlston in Scotland.

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