Hornsea And Driffield To Feature In 2026 Lloyds Tour Of Britain Men Route

The world's best cyclists will pass through Hornsea and face a series of climbs around Driffield as the 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Men visits East Yorkshire this September.

Cycling enthusiasts on the Yorkshire Coast are gearing up for a spectacular event as the route details for the 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Men have been officially revealed, with the towns of Hornsea and Driffield set to play a prominent role in the prestigious race.

The world’s best riders lining up for this year's competition will be in for a challenging contest across five distinct stages. However, local attention will be firmly fixed on Stage Three, which takes place on Friday the 4th of September 2026.

The East Yorkshire leg of the race will see competitors depart from the city of Hull to tackle a gruelling 200.6-kilometre stage. The peloton will head out to the stunning east coast, travelling through Withernsea before making its way up to the seaside town of Hornsea.

From Hornsea, the cyclists will continue their journey along the coast to Skipsea, before turning inland towards Burton Agnes.

As the race approaches Driffield, the competitors will be faced with a demanding series of climbs. Navigating around Driffield, the riders will then experience a fast-paced downhill section into Wetwang as the stage gears up for an exciting climax.

The stage will eventually conclude in Beverley, where the riders will take on a sixteen-kilometre circuit featuring four passages, culminating in a testing uphill drag to the racecourse for the finish.

Across the entirety of the 2026 event, riders will face a total distance of 910.3 kilometres, or 565 miles, encompassing an exhausting 8,814 metres of ascent.

Organisers have designed a route that will take in some iconic locations. The multi-stage race will begin in Lincolnshire, taking in the famous Michaelgate in Lincoln, before moving up the coast to the seaside towns of East Yorkshire.

Following the Hull to Beverley stage, the route will then cross into North Yorkshire, featuring the city of Ripon and the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. The race will eventually head into intriguing sections in the Lammermuir Hills of the Scottish Borders, ahead of an overall race finish in Earlston.

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 have been waiting for, so they can plan the best positions to watch the world’s best riders in the UK. We have worked closely with all our stakeholders to design a fantastic route that will ignite the race and create a memorable spectacle for all involved."

Highlighting the accessibility of the race for local communities, Mr Day added:

"The Tours are one of 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 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 Lloyds Tour of Britain Men last visited the East Riding in 2023 when the race finished at Beverley Racecourse where Olav Kooij won the sprint to bag his third consecutive stage win in that year’s edition, one of his seven career Tour of Britain victories to date.  

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 Men is part of the partnership agreed between British Cycling and Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority, working with Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council to grow cycling and tourism links in the region. 

Councillor Anne Handley, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: "We're incredibly proud to be hosting this stage of the Lloyds Tour of Britain. 

"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.  

“As the race passes through communities across the East Riding, there will be plenty of opportunities for residents and visitors alike to experience the excitement and celebrate cycling together. 

“Major events like this help put East Yorkshire on the map, inspiring people to discover everything our area has to offer, with Beverley providing a fitting backdrop for what promises to be a fantastic finish."