British Cycling has confirmed the return of the Tour of the Reservoir for 2025, adding another round to both the open and women’s Lloyds National Road Series. The race, which has long been a staple of the domestic calendar, will take place as a one-day event in Consett on Sunday 22 June. However, this positive news is tempered by the loss of the Lancaster Grand Prix, which will not take place in 2025 due to logistical and financial challenges.
The Tour of the Reservoir, a long-standing and prestigious event in British domestic road racing, will be held as a one-day race in Consett on Sunday 22 June. Its return restores an important fixture to the calendar after a five-year absence, underlining the determination of its organisers to revive the event.
Conversely, the absence of the Lancaster Grand Prix is a significant blow. The race had rapidly established itself as one of the most respected and competitive events in the UK, earning widespread acclaim from both riders and fans. Its cancellation highlights the ongoing fragility of the domestic racing scene, where funding and logistical pressures continue to threaten the sustainability of key events.
We previously reported that the Tour of the Reservoir organisers were confident of the race’s return, stating that the event was “very much on” for 2025 despite its absence from the calendar in 2024. The confirmation from British Cycling solidifies this comeback, albeit with a revised format as a one-day race rather than the traditional two-day stage race.
A welcome return for Tour of the Reservoir
The Tour of the Reservoir is one of the most prestigious races in British domestic road cycling. Since its inception in 2005, it has been a cornerstone of the domestic racing scene, with the women’s race added in 2014 to further cement its status as a key event on the British cycling calendar. However, following the sad passing of former organiser Mike Hodgson in 2020 due to coronavirus, the race has struggled to regain its footing. The last edition took place in 2019, with James Shaw and Leah Dixon taking the men’s and women’s titles, respectively.
The 2025 edition is being organised by Steve Walton and his committee, who have been working tirelessly to bring the event back. The race was initially set to return as part of the National Road Series in 2024, only for unforeseen obstacles to force its cancellation. Nevertheless, Walton remains resolute in his mission to restore the race, securing local backing to stage the one-day event in 2025.
“The Tour of the Reservoir is an iconic race, and it deserves its place on the calendar,” Walton said. “The 2019 edition, which finished in the heart of Consett, was a fantastic showcase for British cycling, with thousands of spectators lining the streets. We’re determined to replicate that success and more in 2025.”
While the race’s traditional two-day format is unlikely to feature immediately, Walton and his team are optimistic that the event will eventually return to its full structure. The organising committee is actively seeking a replacement sponsor to help ensure the race’s long-term sustainability, with hopes of restoring the full format by 2026.
Lancaster Grand Prix Absence a Major Blow
The loss of the Lancaster Grand Prix is a significant setback for the domestic racing scene. Since its debut in 2019, the event had grown into one of the most respected and well-supported races in the UK, gaining praise from both riders and fans for its challenging course and well-organised delivery.
British Cycling said in its statement that the race would not go ahead “due to a variety of logistical reasons and to uncertainties in funding and sponsorship. The organising committee is proceeding with plans for the event to return in 2026 and beyond.”
The uncertainty surrounding its future is indicative of the wider challenges faced by race organisers, with sponsorship and financial backing remaining major concerns. The National Road Series has seen multiple races disappear over the years due to similar issues, and while the organisers remain hopeful of a return in 2026, the difficulties in reviving a race after a hiatus should not be underestimated.
