The exact route for the 2026 Tour of Britain men’s cycling race has been announced.
Riders will set off on 2 September, travelling through Lincolnshire, East Yorkshire and North Yorkshire, before finishing in Scotland on 6 September.
They will take on 565 miles (910km) of racing across the stages, with major ascents including the 656ft (200m) climb up the cobbles of Michaelgate in Lincoln.
Jonathan Day, director of events for British Cycling Ventures, said the team had designed a “fantastic route that will ignite the race and create a memorable spectacle for all involved”.
Stage one: Lincoln
The tour will start in Lincoln on Wednesday 2 September. It will be the first time the men’s race has taken place in the city.
Riders will leave the city centre and head out into the Lincolnshire Wolds, making their way through Market Rasen before heading through Caistor.
The route will make its way past Waddingham and Ingham before heading back to Lincoln.
Cyclists will then tackle the renowned Michaelgate climb five times during the final circuit in the city centre, taking in the Lincoln Grand Prix circuit.
Stage two: Boston – Skegness
On Thursday 3 September, the peloton will start in Boston, riding past Coningsby, through Woodhall Spa, Horncastle and Wragby.
The route will then intersect stage one of the course, going into the Lincolnshire Wolds before heading to Louth and through Mablethorpe and Sutton-on-Sea.
It will hit the day’s last ascent near Langton Hill in Horncastle, before a sprint into Skegness.
Stage three: Hull – Beverley
Racers will depart from Hull on Friday 4 September, riding across the east coast through Withernsea, Hornsea and Skipsea.
The peloton will face a series of climbs as they travel through Burton Agnes and Driffield before heading downhill into Wetwang.
Once they reach Beverley, they will ride a four-passage circuit before finishing at the racecourse.
Stage four: Helmsley – Leyburn
On Saturday 5 September, riders will take on one of the hardest stages of the tour.
Starting in Helmsley, the race will head through Easingwold, Boroughbridge and Ripon before entering the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Climbing out of Greenhow Bank, riders will make their way through Grassington, Wharfedale and towards Buckden and Cray.
The peloton will face another ascent up Kidstones before heading to Aysgarth Falls. They will then tackle the climbs of Greets Moss and Grinton Moor.
The day will finish in Leyburn, which is hosting a tour finish for the first time.
Stage five: Earlston
Earlston is also another location hosting the race for the first time.
Riders will depart from Smailholm towards Kelso, but will turn off just before the town to travel through Hume, Greenlaw and Duns.
They will then face the Lammermuir Hills and pass Whiteadder Water before taking on a climb to Redstone Rig and Duddy Bank.
Heading back towards Earlston, riders will complete two circuits before the race finishes and the next men’s champion is crowned.
More details about the route for all five stages can be found on the British Cycling website.
Day said: “It’s the news fans have been waiting for, so they can plan the best positions to watch the world’s best riders in the UK.
“The route brings unique challenges to the riders, while delivering a backdrop which shows the best of Britain, from the beautiful coastline, across the highways, through our stunning countryside, and up some iconic and challenging categorised climbs.”
The routes for the Lloyds Tour of Britain women’s race would be announced soon, organisers said.
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