Lancaster back on calendar as Lancashire prepares for 2027 Tour
The vacant 12 July slot on the 2026 National Road Series calendar now has its answer. Lancaster returns after a one-year funding pause, strengthening a compressed elite season and laying groundwork for the region’s hosting of the 2027 Tour de France.
The Lancaster Grand Prix will return to the British Cycling National Road Series on Sunday 12 July 2026, filling the mid-season vacancy that had been listed as “TBA” when the calendar was first published in November.
The race, last staged in 2024, will again form part of the Elite National Road Series for both women and men.
Lancaster did not run in 2025 after organisers were unable to secure sufficient funding and logistical support to deliver the event at National Road Series standard. At the time, they stressed that the decision was an enforced pause rather than a closure, and that they intended to return once sustainable backing was in place.
That backing has now been secured.
The organising committee confirmed the event will proceed with support from Lancashire County Council, Lancaster City Council and additional partners yet to be announced.
Chair of the organising committee, Brian Cookson, said:
“We have put in an intensive effort to make sure these races, for both Elite categories, can be properly resourced, and that has been achieved thanks to those partners.”
He also emphasised the longer-term ambition tied to the county’s hosting of the Tour de France Grand Départ in 2027:
“Looking ahead to 2027, we want to build this into a bigger weekend community festival that helps prepare for the Tour de France coming to Lancashire and ensures that its legacy continues to benefit the people, businesses and communities of the county for years to come.”
The 2026 course will once incorporate roads forming part of the proposed Stage 2 route of the 2027 Tour de France, subtly positioning the race as both sporting contest and rehearsal.
Ben Granger wins in 2024. Image: Craig Zadoronyj/SWpix.com
From ambition to fixture
Created in 2019 by Cookson and Lune RCC chairman Graham Jones, the race was conceived as a British interpretation of an Ardennes-style classic – selective, attritional and defined by repeated climbing. Starting and finishing at Williamson Park, the circuit quickly earned a reputation for rewarding late attacks and punishing hesitation.
Ian Bibby won the inaugural edition in 2019. After the pandemic-enforced hiatus in 2020, Josh Whitehead delivered a breakthrough victory in 2021 while riding for Team PB Performance. The women’s race was introduced in 2022, won by Mary Wilkinson, as Rob Scott took the men’s victory en route to the overall National Road Series title.
In 2023, Ruth Shier claimed a solo win in the women’s race, while Saint Piran dominated the men’s event with a 1-2-3, Zeb Kyffin taking the victory.
The most recent edition in 2024 reinforced its selective profile. Italy-based Ben Granger bridged to the early break before attacking solo over the final ascent in Williamson Park to win. In the women’s race, Frankie Hall attacked on the final lap after bridging across to a small front group to secure a decisive solo victory.
Across five open editions and three women’s, the race has moved quickly from start-up ambition to established National Road Series round.
Lancaster Grand Prix 2024. Image: Craig Zadoronyj/SWpix.com
A compressed season
When the 2026 calendar was published, the unidentified 12 July round stood out. Lancaster, absent from the 2025 schedule due to funding and logistical pressures, had signalled its intention to return. The date alignment made it the most plausible candidate.
Its reinstatement strengthens a season that concludes on 16 August – earlier than the traditional pre-2025 pattern – increasing the competitive weight of the July block.
With fewer late-season National A opportunities, the mid-summer cluster now forms the core of the elite campaign.
Round
Date
Race
Location
1
22 March
Anexo/CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic
Rutland
2
12 April
East Cleveland Classic
Saltburn
3
10 May
Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix
Lincoln
4
7 June
Tour of the Reservoir
Consett
5
12 July
Lancaster Grand Prix
Lancaster
6
19 July
South Molton GP
South Molton
7
9 August
Curlew Cup
Stamfordham
8
16 August
North Yorkshire Grand Prix
Ampleforth
Updated 2026 Women’s National Road Series
Round
Date
Race
Location
1
12 April
East Cleveland Classic
Saltburn
2
10 May
Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix
Lincoln
3
7 June
Tour of the Reservoir
Consett
4
12 July
Lancaster Grand Prix
Lancaster
5
19 July
South Molton GP
South Molton
6
9 August
Beaumont Trophy
Stamfordham
7
16 August
North Yorkshire Grand Prix
Ampleforth
Updated 2026 Open National Road Series
Lancaster’s return restores an established, selective round to the centre of the National Road Series calendar and clarifies the structure of the 2026 season.
The Lancaster Grand Prix will return to the British Cycling National Road Series on Sunday 12 July 2026, filling the mid-season vacancy that had been listed as “TBA” when the calendar was first published in November.
The race, last staged in 2024, will again form part of the Elite National Road Series for both women and men.
Lancaster did not run in 2025 after organisers were unable to secure sufficient funding and logistical support to deliver the event at National Road Series standard. At the time, they stressed that the decision was an enforced pause rather than a closure, and that they intended to return once sustainable backing was in place.
That backing has now been secured.
The organising committee confirmed the event will proceed with support from Lancashire County Council, Lancaster City Council and additional partners yet to be announced.
Chair of the organising committee, Brian Cookson, said:
“We have put in an intensive effort to make sure these races, for both Elite categories, can be properly resourced, and that has been achieved thanks to those partners.”
He also emphasised the longer-term ambition tied to the county’s hosting of the Tour de France Grand Départ in 2027:
“Looking ahead to 2027, we want to build this into a bigger weekend community festival that helps prepare for the Tour de France coming to Lancashire and ensures that its legacy continues to benefit the people, businesses and communities of the county for years to come.”
The 2026 course will once incorporate roads forming part of the proposed Stage 2 route of the 2027 Tour de France, subtly positioning the race as both sporting contest and rehearsal.
From ambition to fixture
Created in 2019 by Cookson and Lune RCC chairman Graham Jones, the race was conceived as a British interpretation of an Ardennes-style classic – selective, attritional and defined by repeated climbing. Starting and finishing at Williamson Park, the circuit quickly earned a reputation for rewarding late attacks and punishing hesitation.
Ian Bibby won the inaugural edition in 2019. After the pandemic-enforced hiatus in 2020, Josh Whitehead delivered a breakthrough victory in 2021 while riding for Team PB Performance. The women’s race was introduced in 2022, won by Mary Wilkinson, as Rob Scott took the men’s victory en route to the overall National Road Series title.
In 2023, Ruth Shier claimed a solo win in the women’s race, while Saint Piran dominated the men’s event with a 1-2-3, Zeb Kyffin taking the victory.
The most recent edition in 2024 reinforced its selective profile. Italy-based Ben Granger bridged to the early break before attacking solo over the final ascent in Williamson Park to win. In the women’s race, Frankie Hall attacked on the final lap after bridging across to a small front group to secure a decisive solo victory.
Across five open editions and three women’s, the race has moved quickly from start-up ambition to established National Road Series round.
A compressed season
When the 2026 calendar was published, the unidentified 12 July round stood out. Lancaster, absent from the 2025 schedule due to funding and logistical pressures, had signalled its intention to return. The date alignment made it the most plausible candidate.
Its reinstatement strengthens a season that concludes on 16 August – earlier than the traditional pre-2025 pattern – increasing the competitive weight of the July block.
With fewer late-season National A opportunities, the mid-summer cluster now forms the core of the elite campaign.
Lancaster’s return restores an established, selective round to the centre of the National Road Series calendar and clarifies the structure of the 2026 season.
Featured: SWpix.com
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