Cycling Tour of Britain

North Yorkshire to Host Tour of Britain Stages in Major Boost for Tourism and Economy

North Yorkshire is set to take centre stage in British cycling once again, after the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority approved plans to host two stages of the Tour of Britain.

The decision reinforces the county’s growing reputation as one of the UK’s leading destinations for elite cycling events, with routes expected to showcase the region’s dramatic landscapes and challenging terrain.

Tour of Britain North Yorkshire Route Plans Underway

Discussions are currently ongoing with British Cycling to finalise host locations and map out the race route.

• The stages are expected to remain entirely within North Yorkshire
• Early proposals focus on hilly routes to maximise sporting challenge
• Route planning for the 2027 stage begins next year

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Minimal Disruption with Rolling Road Closures

Organisers are working to minimise disruption across the county:

• Rolling road closures will typically last under 30 minutes
• Careful coordination will limit impact on road and rail networks
• Planning focuses on balancing local access with world-class racing

Start and finish areas will include full event infrastructure such as traffic management, parking, toilets, waste facilities, safety barriers, and first aid services.

£33 Million Economic Impact from Tour of Britain

Hosting the Tour of Britain brings a proven economic boost.

Research by YouGov for British Cycling found that the 2024 men’s and women’s races generated:

• £33.3 million total economic impact
• 174,000 overnight stays in host areas
• Major spending on food, drink, accommodation and transport

This is significant for North Yorkshire’s visitor economy, which is already worth more than £4 billion annually and supports over 38,000 jobs.

Global Exposure for North Yorkshire

The Tour of Britain is broadcast in over 100 countries, with free-to-air coverage across the UK.

Hosting the race is expected to:

• Showcase North Yorkshire’s landscapes to a global audience
• Drive tourism growth and visitor numbers
• Inspire community events and grassroots cycling
• Build long-term civic pride across towns and villages

Funding Breakdown for North Yorkshire Stages

The financial plan for hosting the event includes:

• £350,000 hosting fee (funded by the Combined Authority)
• £100,000 per race for operational costs
• £100,000 per stage requested from North Yorkshire Council

Any additional costs beyond the council’s £200,000 contribution are expected to be covered by the Combined Authority.

North Yorkshire’s Cycling Legacy Continues

North Yorkshire has a strong history of hosting world-class cycling events, including the Tour de France Grand Départ 2014 and the Tour de Yorkshire.

Bringing the Tour of Britain back to the region builds on that legacy—combining elite sport, global exposure, and real economic impact.

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