Forget the dream of a British-based Grand Départ in 2026: focus instead on the Tour de France coming back in 2027. That was the message from UK Sport after it confirmed that the plan to bring the world’s biggest bike race back to the UK in two years’ time had been dropped.
Ten years after the euphoria of the 2014 Yorkshire Grand Départ, and in the hospitality suites of the 2012 Olympic Stadium – now the home of West Ham United – UK Sport’s deputy CEO Simon Morton and colleague Esther Britten, head of major events, set out future plans for bringing the Tour and other global events to the UK.
“We are not actively pursuing hosting [the Tour] in 2026,” Morton said, before adding the caveat, however, that “things can change fast in this world” suggesting that a location for the start of the 2026 race has yet to be confirmed.
Speculation surrounding the bid to stage a 2026 Grand Départ, focused initially at least on Scotland, had been fuelled by the presence of Tour director Christian Prudhomme at last summer’s UCI World Championships in Glasgow.
This story is from the March 14, 2024 edition of Cycling Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 14, 2024 edition of Cycling Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
"We tore around the Sydney suburbs at 60kph in a terrifying, feral pack"
Fast, furious and furry tales from Australia
RIDDEN AND REVIEWED BROMPTON G LINE £2,499
A Brompton for running riot in both town and country
How do different gravel conditions impact your tyre choice?
There are a myriad of tyres on the market but selecting the right one is easier than you think
FEAST OF SWEDEN
Soon after landing in Gothenburg, I began to realise how little I knew about Sweden.
THE WORLD'S GREATEST GRAVEL EVENTS
Globe-trotting gravel racer Joe Laverick chooses his eight favourite events, from coastal Wales to the wilds of Kenya
THE CALL OF THE WILD
Tempted to embark on a long-distance bike adventure? Let former round-the-world record holder and author Julian Sayarer inspire you to strike out and hit the road
Saint Piran accused of using non-UCI legal bikes
Cornish team also alleged to owe former staff tens of thousands of pounds
JOE LAVERICK GETTING INTO THE FEED ZONE
I've ridden through hundreds of feed zones in my time racing a bike.
Lowden not ready to stop after retirement
Former Hour record holder eyes UK time trial scene
Pogačar makes history (again) at Lombardia
Slovenian makes it four in a row at the late-season Italian Monument
