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Mayor backs communities to make the most of Tour of Britain

Communities along the route of the 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain in North Yorkshire can apply for funding to celebrate the race and showcase the best of their towns and villages.

The route, announced this week, will start in Helmsley in the North York Moors before passing through Easingwold, Boroughbridge and Ripon, heading into the Yorkshire Dales and finishing in Leyburn.

Developed in partnership with British Cycling and North Yorkshire Council, the route takes advantage of the region’s spectacular and varied landscape to deliver one of the most challenging and visually impressive routes of the 2026 men’s race.

To help communities make the most of the event, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority is making funding available through a Mayoral Community Grant. Town and parish councils along the route can apply for up to £500, while Helmsley and Leyburn can apply for up to £2,000.

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:

“The Lloyds Tour of Britain is the UK’s biggest professional road cycling race, attracting thousands of visitors who spend money on hotels, food, transport and retail. In 2024, the race generated more than £30 million for host areas.

“Through my Mayoral Community Grant, we’re helping communities celebrate this fantastic event, bring residents together to enjoy the excitement of world-class cycling, and showcase the unique character, hospitality and pride of our towns and villages to the many visitors and spectators who will line the route, as well as the millions watching on TV across the world.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to inspire people of all ages, support local businesses and create a lasting legacy for communities across the county.”

The funding can be used to decorate towns and villages, organise community celebrations or support activities on the day. Grants will be administered by North Yorkshire Council and town and parish councils will be contacted directly with details of how to apply.

The North Yorkshire stage will take place on Saturday 5 September and is expected to be attract large crowds. Featuring around 2,700 metres of ascent, it will be the toughest route of the 2026 Men’s Tour.

Cycling enthusiasts will also have the opportunity to experience the route themselves by taking part in the Lloyds Ride the Route Sportive on Sunday 30 August. Starting from Thirsk Racecourse, riders can choose from three routes of 56km, 100km or 184km.

Entries open at 10am on Friday 3 July. Find out more and enter at https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/tourofbritain/ridetheroute

Director of Events for British Cycling Ventures, Jonathan Day, said:

"It is always exciting to reveal the stage routes for the Lloyds Tour of Britain, it’s the news fans in Yorkshire have been waiting for, so they can plan the best positions to watch the world’s best riders in the UK. We have worked close with all our stakeholders to create a great route which will showcase the best of the regions we are riding through, and a spectacle for all involved.

“The Tours are the largest free to spectate events in Britain, so we are thrilled to be bringing the men’s route from Lincolnshire, through East and North Yorkshire, all the way to Earlston in the Scottish Borders. The route for stage four in North Yorkshire brings unique challenges to the riders, through the beautiful countryside, and up entertaining categorised hills. It is not to be missed.”

Cllr Carl Les, Leader of North Yorkshire Council, said:

“We are proud to be hosting a stage of the Lloyds Tour of Britain here in North Yorkshire, showcasing our stunning landscapes and welcoming communities on a national and international stage.

“This is a marvellous opportunity for towns and villages along the route to come together, celebrate, and highlight everything that makes our county such a special place to live and visit.

“I encourage town and parish councils to take advantage of this funding to create memorable experiences for residents and visitors alike.”

Dominic Barry, Cycling Development Manager at the North York Moors National Park Authority, said: “

We're delighted to welcome the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men back to the North York Moors National Park. Following a memorable finish at Duncombe Park in 2022, it's fantastic to see Helmsley once again hosting a world class cycling event.

"The North York Moors provides a spectacular setting for a bike race and we're proud to showcase our landscapes and communities to a global audience and pleased that the route will continue through our friends in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, highlighting the very best of cycling in Yorkshire"

Lizzie Bushby, Deputy Chair and Member Champion for Recreation Management at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority said:

“The Dales is a place where cycling is truly loved and celebrated, and our communities have always come out in force to support major events like the Tour of Britain. This grant fund is a fantastic opportunity for local groups to get involved, celebrate the race, and showcase the unique character, landscapes and warm welcome that make the Yorkshire Dales such a special place.”

The route

The penultimate stage of the men’s race will begin in Helmsley before passing through Easingwold, Boroughbridge, and Ripon before the peloton heads into the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

After a demanding climb out of Pateley Bridge, the peloton will head toward Grassington, before travelling through Buckden and Aysgarth. A final climb at Grinton will set up an exciting finish in Leyburn, which is hosting a Lloyds Tour of Britain stage finish for the first time.

Find out more about the Lloyds Tour of Britain Mens route.

Background

In March this year, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority approved £350,000 from the Mayoral Investment Fund to partner with British Cycling to bring a full stage of the internationally recognised race to the county in 2026 and 2027.

Alongside this investment, the Combined Authority is also sharing North Yorkshire Council’s costs for road closures and traffic management required to deliver the event safely.

Published on Thursday 2 July 2026