Clitheroe and Blackpool announced as Stage Two hosts for Lloyds Tour of Britain Women 2026  

Clitheroe and Blackpool will host the start and finish of stage two of the 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Women, which will pass through the region on Thursday 20 August 2026.

The 2026 edition, once again part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour, will mark a historic first for Lancashire as the women’s race visits its communities for the first time.

Clitheroe previously hosted the men’s race in 2015, staging the start of a stage that finished in Colne which was the last time the Tour visited Lancashire. The county will also host stages of the Tour de France next summer, when Britain welcomes the Grand Départ.

The promenade at Blackpool has seen some of the greats of cycling race to stunning victories including Sir Mark Cavendish who won the stage in 2012, wearing his rainbow stripes of world champion. Blackpool has hosted three starts and five finishes to the Tour in the modern day, so has a rich heritage in providing a spectacular backdrop to enthralling bike racing.

British Cycling research, delivered by GSIQ, showed the 2025 Lloyds Tours of Britain brought an overall cumulative economic impact of £62.3 million to the local areas which hosted the ten stages, bringing huge social impact to communities across the country as well.

The hosting of major cycling events such as the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women is part of partnership agreed between British Cycling, Lancashire County Council, Ribble Valley Borough Council and Blackpool Council to grow cycling and tourism links in the region. 

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

“We are excited to be bringing the prestigious Lloyds Tour of Britain Women to these fantastic locations in August. For the first time, there is parity in the number of stages with the men’s race a few weeks later, so it is a huge opportunity to create a real festival of cycling, with the women’s race kick-starting a brilliant few weeks of elite racing.  

“We are bringing new hosts and stages in Mold, Llanidloes, and Hay-on-Wye, and it is fantastic to return to previous hosts of the Tour in Cockermouth, Clitheroe, Blackpool, Llandudno and Royal Leamington Spa, bringing real variety to the courses as we head across England and Wales.  

“On behalf of British Cycling Ventures, I would like to say a huge thank you to our partners across the five stages for supporting the hosting and delivery of this August’s landmark race and enabling us to bring a memorable and action packed five days of world class racing to their communities, spreading the joy of cycling along the route, and inspiring more people to get on a bike and live healthier lives.”  

Councillor Stephen Atkinson, Leader of Lancashire County Council, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome the Lloyds Tour of Britain back to Lancashire during the summer holidays, giving more residents and visitors the chance to experience world-class cycling on their doorstep.

“With the Lancaster Grand Prix in July, the Tour of Britain Women’s in August and the Tour de France Grand Départ coming in 2027, this is a hugely exciting time for sport in Lancashire. These major events bring communities together, inspire the next generation and showcase the very best of our towns, villages and countryside to audiences across the UK and beyond.

“Residents can enjoy the atmosphere as the race passes through their local areas, with activities for young people running in the lead-up to August. We’re proud to play our part in delivering events like this and the lasting legacy they leave behind.”

Councillor Jo Farrell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Wellbeing at Blackpool Council said:

“We are thrilled to welcome the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women back to Blackpool in 2026.

“With our rich cycling heritage, the race will provide a fantastic opportunity to showcase the town, support local businesses and reinforce our reputation as a destination to host world-class events.

“The event will also provide an opportunity to encourage more people to enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits that cycling can bring.”

Ribble Valley Borough Council leader Simon Hore said:

“The Lloyds Tour of Britain attracts a huge following, some of the world’s most elite cyclists and an international television audience, so is the ideal showcase for the borough’s beautiful countryside and many attractions.

“The event offers businesses and community organisations a fantastic opportunity to get involved, revel in the excitement and make the most of increased footfall on Tour day.

“Stage 2 of the 2015 men’s Tour started in Clitheroe and attracted tens of thousands of spectators, along with a significant economic boost.

“We are really excited to be hosting the women’s Tour and hope our communities will give the event a warm Ribble Valley welcome, while making the most of the opportunities it has to offer.”

The full list of stages is:

Stage 1: Cockermouth – Cockermouth

Stage 2: Clitheroe – Blackpool

Stage 3: Mold to The Great Orme, Llandudno

Stage 4: Llanidloes to Hay-on-Wye

Stage 5: Royal Leamington Spa – Royal Leamington Spa

Cockermouth will open the 2026 women’s race with a challenging route through western Cumbria, starting and finishing in the picturesque market town. Stage two will see the riders travel from Clitheroe, through the Ribble Valley to the iconic seaside resort of Blackpool. North and Mid Wales will then host two exciting stages on Friday and Saturday, from Mold to the Great Orme in Llandudno and from Llanidloes to Hay-on-Wye, before the General Classification is decided in Warwickshire, where Royal Leamington Spa will host the start and finish on Sunday 23 August.

British Cycling research, delivered by GSIQ, showed the 2025 Lloyds Tours of Britain brought an overall cumulative economic impact of £62.3 million to the local areas which hosted the ten stages, bringing huge social impact to communities across the country as well.

Further announcements, including the detailed routes for the five stages of the women’s and men’s race, will be announced in the coming weeks.  

Interested in volunteering at the Lloyds Tour of Britain? You can register your interest here and play a part in the biggest free to spectate event in the UK.