British Cycling has announced the return of elite cycling to the North East and North Yorkshire, including track racing in Darlington town centre.
The British National Road Championships are coming to the Tees Valley as part of a partnership between British Cycling and the Tees Valley Combined Authority to improve cycling and tourism links in the region.
Track races will be held in Darlington city center on Friday, June 21, and stars from the British cycling world will participate in the race.
Major Libby McCollom, Darlington Council’s cabinet member for local services, said: “We welcome this exciting announcement with open arms and look forward to hosting the event, which promises to be an exhilarating midsummer evening of world-class cycling here in Darlington town centre.
“I can’t wait to embrace the excitement of the journey and the sense of unity I’m sure it will bring. Here’s to the joy of cycling and the unforgettable memories this event will help us create together in our beautiful town.”
This year’s event follows a successful first national championship in the region in 2023, which culminated in Pfeiffer Georgi and Fred Wright being crowned national champions at the iconic Saltburn Bank.
The championships kick off with time trials in North Yorkshire on Wednesday 19 June, with further details on the route to be released in due course.
At the 2023 events, Josh Tarling was crowned the youngest ever elite men’s national time trial champion, while Lizzie Holden put in an outstanding performance to claim the elite women’s crown.
The track races will be held on Friday 21 June in Darlington town centre, which successfully hosted the start of two stages of the Tour of Britain in 2008 and 2009.
Megan Barker and Ollie Wood hope to defend their national circuit racing title after their famous victory at Redcar last year.
The championships will then culminate with the road races, which will start and finish again at Saltburn on Sunday 23 June.
The sports course designed for this year’s event is a modified version of the 2023 route, with fewer climbs, which will pass through the picturesque seaside town on each lap before emerging into the rolling terrain of the Tees Valley.
Fred Wright won an emotional first elite national title at Saltburn Bank last year after a dramatic solo breakaway, while Pfeiffer Georgi delighted the local crowd by winning her second national title in the women’s race.
Ahead of today’s announcement, Wright said: “Winning my first elite national road title at Saltburn Bank was incredibly special and a huge privilege to wear the national jersey in the professional peloton.
“It meant so much to win last year and I can’t wait to get back to the seaside and compete with a great crowd against the best riders in the country.”
Reigning women’s national road race champion Georgi added: “Winning my second national title at Saltburn Bank last year was fantastic and wearing the national jersey on the world stage is very special.
“Women’s racing is very exciting at the moment and we competed very well last year. “I can’t wait to compete in front of my home fans again and try to defend my form once again.”
The 2024 championship will bring together time trial, track and road events for the fourth consecutive year as part of our work to grow the profile of the sport and deliver an engaging racing spectacle for drivers and fans alike. The national championships mark the top of the domestic road calendar, which started yesterday with the 8th ANEXO CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic.
Today’s announcement also highlights the Tees Valley Combined Authority’s ongoing commitment to becoming a leading destination for cycling tourism and events, following last year’s championships and the subsequent announcement of the East Cleveland Classic. The second one forms part of our National Road Series and will take place on Sunday 14 April.
Amy Gardner, British Cycling Interim Director of Sport and Participation, said: “We would like to thank our Tees Valley Combined Authority and local authority partners for once again welcoming national championships to the region.
“We know from last year how fascinating, challenging and iconic these routes are for our riders and roadside supporters, and we can now look forward to seeing the best British talent go head-to-head once again for the jerseys of our national champions. In June.
“Growing the profile and audience of our flagship event is vital to the future growth of our sport, the sustainability of our teams and the development of our most talented riders.
“We are hugely encouraged by the support and enthusiasm of the Tees Valley Combined Authority, highlighting the incredible impact our events can have on civic pride, tourism and wider work to get more people cycling.”
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This fantastic partnership will further strengthen our region’s growing reputation as an excellent cycling destination and we look forward to welcoming back the country’s best cyclists riding these attractive yet extremely challenging routes.
“We continue to grow our visitor economy and this deal will deliver millions of pounds of spend, which will provide a huge boost to our great restaurants, cafes, accommodation providers and bike shops.
“Events like this not only showcase the best our region has to offer, they’re also a great way to encourage people of all ages to cycle across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.”
Cllr Carrie Richardson, Cabinet Member for Climate and Culture and Deputy Leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, added: “Securing the national championship road race is incredible for our borough, especially after the huge success of last year’s event.
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“We are absolutely committed to attracting high-profile cycling events which give us the opportunity to boost tourism and showcase the area as a great place to come on holiday and cycle, with some of the best coastal and countryside scenery in the country. “It has been a key area for major cycling events for the last few years and this will be the case for a long time to come.” it can continue.”
Further route details and event information will be published in due course. Teams or cyclists with questions about the event can contact our team at events@britishcycling.org.uk.