Tour of Britain Race Route Through Ribble Valley Revealed
The 2026 Lloyd’s Tour of Britain women’s race route through Ribble Valley has been revealed – and it’s not for the faint-hearted.
The second stage of the race will be held on Thursday 20 August and set off from Clitheroe town centre before making its way towards a challenging set of hill climbs in the Forest of Bowland National Landscape, including Waddington “Waddie” Fell and the iconic Nick O’Pendle ascent (1.9km at 7.6% average gradient) of Pendle Hill.
The Ribble Valley section will be as follows: Clitheroe-Sawley-Bolton-by-Bowland-Tosside-Slaidburn-Newton-Waddington-Clitheroe-Sabden-Whalley-Hurst Green-Longridge.
The route then flattens out and heads west towards the coast, passing through Whalley, Longridge, and Broughton, before heading south at Singleton towards Lytham St. Annes.
The riders will then endure a sprint finish onto Blackpool’s famous promenade, finishing alongside the iconic Mirror Ball.
Ribble Valley Borough Council leader Simon Hore said:
“It’s great to see that the Tour will be taking in some serious moorland hill climbs while it speeds through Ribble Valley, as well as some pretty towns.
“This will be a real test for some of the world’s best professional riders and they won’t have much opportunity to enjoy our beautiful countryside. But it will provide some really spectacular viewing points for the thousands of spectators expected to line the route.
“The excitement is really starting to build up as the big day approaches. It’s going to be a fantastic event.”
The riders competing in the Tour will face the longest race in the event’s history, with a total distance of almost 650km, across the five stages.
Battling through 635.8km (395 miles) of roads with a total ascent of 8,895m, the riders will travel through the picturesque counties of Cumbria, Lancashire, Flintshire, Denbighshire, Conwy and Powys, before crossing the finish line in Warwickshire.
The momentous route is set to challenge even the best of riders, taking in some of Britain's most beautiful landscapes such as the Lake District National Park, the Lancashire Fells and the Great Orme, while passing iconic landmarks attractions such as the castles of Conwy and Kenilworth, and famous destinations like Blackpool, Hay-on-Wye and Royal Leamington Spa.
Jonathan Day, Director of Events for British Cycling Ventures, said:
“Announcing the route is one of the key milestones in the build-up to the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women, as it gives riders, teams and fans their first real insight into how this year’s race could unfold. We have put together a course that provides opportunities for a range of different rider types to try and challenge for the title, ensuring every stage has the potential to shape the overall outcome.
“Beyond the sporting challenge, the route reflects our ambition to bring elite women’s cycling to the diverse communities across Britain. Each stage will showcase a different part of the country and provide fans with the chance to experience world-class racing on their doorstep.
“We are excited to see the race come to life and to welcome spectators to what promises to be a fantastic edition of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women.”
Find out more at Lloyds Tour of Britain Women.