Tour Of Britain Plans Comeback

British Cycling has revealed its vision for the future of major cycling events in Britain, including delivery of Tour of Britain events for women and men in 2024.

Released on Friday 2^nd February, British Cycling’s plans span the breadth of road, off-road, urban and track disciplines and is set to focus on creating ‘a positive social and community impact.’

In 2024, two national tours will be delivered by British Cycling. The Tour of Britain – Women and Tour of Britain – Men will fill the calendar slots previously occupied by The Women’s Tour and the Tour of Britain.

Uncertainty had been growing around the tours in recent times after the owner of the Women’s Tour and organiser of the Tour of Britain, sports events and marketing company SweetSpot, entered voluntary liquidation.

The Women’s WorldTour event was cancelled in 2023 due to a lack of financial backing, while the men’s Tour of Britain went ahead in September amid noises of financial pressure, before in November British Cycling said it had terminated its contract with SweetSpot over what the governing body said is a financial dispute over unpaid rights fees.

But now, British Cycling has confirmed the tours will return without SweetSpot’s involvement.

Tom Pidcock MBE, rider for Ineos Grenadiers, commented, “As a British rider in a British team, riding the Tour of Britain is really special. It’s an important race in the calendar and you can’t beat the atmosphere of racing on home roads in front of local fans.

“As a kid who grew up watching the Tour of Britain, there is always something incredible about seeing elite cyclists racing around your own country. It’s an important race for everyone in the British cycling scene – the clubs, the fans, British riders and the next generations of home-grown talent who could win a race like this one day.

“Cycling events in Britain need support now more than ever before, and I really hope that everyone can rally behind this event to give us a race that the whole nation can be proud of.”

In the long-term, British Cycling has stated that its ‘renewed vison’ for further events across multiple disciplines will include exploring the feasibility of a multi-sport urban event series, including BMX freestyle.

It will also look to build on the success of the UCI Track Champions League by conducting a feasibility study on a new domestic track league concept as well as continuing to ‘support efforts to secure mountain bike and cyclo-cross World Cup rounds in Britain.’

The events will be delivered through British Cycling’s British Cycling Events subsidiary, which has delivered events including the UCI Track Champions League in the past.

British Cycling CEO, Jon Dutton, said, “Major events have played a transformational role in growing the profile of our sport and helping us to take the success of our country’s best riders into the communities and homes of millions. Today we are pleased to share a renewed vision for our organisation which reflects the full breadth of our disciplines and places social impact at its very heart.

“We know just how important our men’s and women’s national tours are to our riders, teams and the national cycling culture. We have acted quickly to safeguard their place on the calendar in 2024, and have bold, long-term ambitions to grow their stature, reach and commercial proposition over the years ahead.

“While we don’t underestimate the challenge in front of us, we’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received to date. We will continue to work hand-in-hand with our partners, the cycling community and businesses to create a sustainable future for our sport, extend our impact in communities, and ensure that the success of our riders across the world is matched by a thriving and diverse portfolio of major events at home.”