| Rank | Rider | Country | Team | Time | GAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Romain Grégoire | FRA | Groupama-FDJ | 19h 31′23″ | – |
| 2 | Remco Evenepoel | BEL | Soudal-Quick-Step | 19h 31′25″ | +2s |
| 3 | Julian Alaphilippe | FRA | Tudor Pro Cycling Team | 19h 31′27″ | +4s |
Tour of Britain is a multi-day race with a UCI 2.1 category, which indicates a high level of professional cycling. The race was organized in 1945, and its status has been constantly changing. In 2004, the race received its current category, and since then, it has been held regularly.
The men’s Tour of Britain is set to return on September 2-6, 2026, continuing its tradition as the UK’s premier professional road cycling event. While the exact route details are yet to be officially confirmed, the race is expected to maintain its challenging format with multiple stages across England, Scotland, and Wales. Fans can anticipate another thrilling edition featuring top international teams and riders competing across diverse terrain, from flat sprint stages to demanding climbs.
The event typically spans six days, with riders covering hundreds of kilometers through scenic towns and cities, offering spectators numerous opportunities to experience world-class cycling firsthand. The full Tour of Britain 2026 route and participating teams will be announced in the coming months, with initial details expected by summer 2026.
Cycling events in Europe have largely been more popular in France, Spain, and Italy thanks to the presence of races like the Tour de France. They form part of the Grand Tour, which requires riders to go through some extremely tough stages before getting the ultimate glory. Professional cycling events in Britain have not attained the same popularity, but several changes to the Tour of Britain still made a big impact and brought many new fans into the sport. After all, the Tour of Britain is the most popular professional cycling race in the United Kingdom.
The Tour of Britain boasts a rich and varied history dating back to 1945, making it one of the oldest stage races in professional cycling – though still considerably younger than the Tour de France. The race has undergone numerous transformations over the decades, reflecting the evolving landscape of British cycling.
After its inaugural edition in 1945, the race continued sporadically until 1999, when it entered a brief hiatus. The modern era began in 2004, when the Tour of Britain was restructured and integrated into the UCI Europe Tour with a 2.1 category rating. This transformation brought international credibility and attracted world-class teams and riders.
Several editions stand out in the race’s history:
The 2015 edition was particularly memorable for its competitive team dynamics. Twenty teams battled across diverse terrain, with Team Sky, Movistar Team, and Etixx-Quick-Step dominating individual stages. However, in a surprising twist, Cannondale-Garmin claimed the overall team classification, finishing 5′ 35″ ahead of the heavily favored Team Sky – a testament to consistent depth across all stages.
The 2024 edition, the 20th of the modern era, showcased the race’s evolution with a total distance of approximately 943.9 km across six stages (reduced from the traditional eight). The route spanned England with a strategic mix of flat sprint stages and punishing climbs. INEOS Grenadiers, UAE Team Emirates, and Soudal Quick-Step delivered commanding performances, controlling breakaways and dictating the pace on crucial climbs.
The 2025 race pushed the limits further with 886 km and 7,500 m of elevation gain, proving more demanding than previous years. French rider Romain Grégoire’s victory marked another chapter in the race’s international appeal, drawing massive crowds and reinforcing the Tour of Britain’s status as a key fixture on the global cycling calendar.
Throughout its history, the Tour of Britain has consistently adapted its format – from stage count to route complexity – ensuring it remains competitive, challenging, and captivating for both riders and fans alike.
The men’s Tour of Britain 2025 took place between September 2 and 7, marking another successful chapter in the race’s storied history. Within these six days, the racers passed through dozens of towns and cities across England, Scotland, and Wales, offering fans numerous chances to appreciate their skills live and catch all the action from the roadside.
The tour proved to be more challenging than in previous years, with a total distance of 886 km and 7,500 m of elevation gain. The full Tour of Britain 2025 route was officially confirmed and announced on September 1, although the initial start and finish details were revealed earlier in August 2025.
French rider Romain Grégoire emerged as the overall winner, showcasing consistent performance throughout the week with strong climbing abilities and tactical racing. The event attracted significant international interest and gathered large crowds along the route, reinforcing its status as the UK’s most prestigious road cycling race.
The 2025 edition featured a mix of flat sprint stages and demanding mountain finishes, testing riders’ versatility across different terrains. Top teams including INEOS Grenadiers, UAE Team Emirates, and several French squads delivered compelling performances, making it one of the most competitive editions in recent years.
| Rank | Rider | Country | Team | Time | GAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Romain Grégoire | FRA | Groupama-FDJ | 19h 31′23″ | – |
| 2 | Remco Evenepoel | BEL | Soudal-Quick-Step | 19h 31′25″ | +2s |
| 3 | Julian Alaphilippe | FRA | Tudor Pro Cycling Team | 19h 31′27″ | +4s |
The 2025 edition of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women took place from 5 to 8 June, marking a major return of the race after a two-year absence. The event showcased elite-level women’s road cycling and featured both UCI Women’s WorldTour and British Continental teams.
The Tour of Britain 2025 route map for women was officially revealed in May 2025, outlining a four-day challenge across two regions of the UK. The opening two stages unfolded in North East England, while the final two moved into Scottish terrain. A standout feature of the race was the punishing finish of Stage 2 on Saltburn Bank – a 300-metre climb with an average gradient of 11% that has gained notoriety from its previous inclusion in the British National Road Race Championships. This blend of coastal sprints and steep inclines made for a dynamic and demanding parcours, testing riders’ versatility and endurance throughout the event.
The race began in Dalby Forest and concluded with a dramatic criterium stage in Glasgow, with thousands of fans lining the roads throughout the weekend. New Zealand rider Ally Wollaston (FDJ–Suez) secured the overall win by claiming vital time bonuses during the final stage, overtaking early leader Cat Ferguson (Movistar Team) by just four seconds.
| Rank | Rider | Country | Team | Time | GAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ally Wollaston | NZL | FDJ-Suez | 10h 36′45″ | – |
| 2 | Cat Ferguson | GBR | Movistar | 10h 36′49″ | +4s |
| 3 | Karlijn Swinkels | NED | UAE Team ADQ | 10h 37′07″ | +22s |
Ferguson impressed throughout the race, including a victory on stage three in Kelso, and finished second overall while also taking home the points and young rider classifications. The race was widely hailed as a success and a key milestone in the continued growth of women’s cycling in the UK.
The men’s Tour of Britain will return on September 2-6, 2026, continuing its legacy as the UK’s premier professional cycling event. Following the success of the 2025 edition, which saw French rider Romain Grégoire claim victory, expectations are high for another thrilling race featuring top international teams and riders.
While the exact dates, route details, and participating teams have yet to be officially confirmed, organizers have indicated via social media that announcements will be made in the coming months. The 2026 edition is expected to maintain the challenging six-stage format introduced in recent years, with a route spanning multiple regions across the UK and offering a diverse mix of sprint finishes and mountain stages.
The Tour of Britain 2026 is anticipated to once again serve as crucial preparation for riders ahead of the UCI Road World Championships later in September.
The women’s Tour of Britain will see several changes in 2026. British Cycling has already obtained the UCI approval to move the event closer to the men’s race to enhance its visibility and engage a wider audience. While the women’s cycling tour of Britain 2025 was held in June, the 2026 edition will take place on August 19-23, 2026.
Additionally, the race duration will extend to five stages in 2026 to achieve more parity between the women’s and men’s races. The prize money will also increase. At the same time, British Cycling has already announced its intention to extend the women’s race duration to six stages in the coming years.
More details about the Tour of Britain Women 2026 are expected to be revealed closer to the event.
