Williamson Park will host a free day of elite cycle racing and family entertainment on Sunday 12 July 2026, as the Lancaster Grand Prix returns for its sixth edition. The event, backed by the event organisers, Lancashire County Council and British Cycling, runs from 9am to 5pm and combines rounds of the Lloyds National Road Race Series with a programme of community activities.
The men’s elite race sets off at 9am, tackling 10 laps of a 14.5km circuit for a total of 152km and 2,800m of climbing, while the women’s elite race starts at 2:15pm over six laps covering 94km with 1,700m of ascent. Brian Cookson, Chair of the race organising committee and former President of the UCI and British Cycling, said the addition of a women’s elite event marked another landmark for the race. Families can enjoy performances from The Songsmiths Musical Duo, a children’s storyteller, magic shows, circus skills workshops, cycle coaching, balance bike sessions, traffic-free guided rides and Wattbike challenges.
Food vendors and a bar will be on site throughout the day, and the entire event is free to attend. Both of the park’s car parks will be closed to accommodate race participants and infrastructure. Councillor Caroline Jackson, leader of Lancaster City Council, said the event promotes cycling and raises the district’s profile. “We really want to see more people on their bikes and making use of our excellent cycling infrastructure,” she added.
The Lancaster Grand Prix first ran in 2019 and has grown into a key fixture in the elite national series. In 2022 the event introduced a women’s race, and previous editions have featured live music, extreme mountain biking displays and face painting. The 2026 circuit forms part of the proposed route for Stage 2 of the 2027 Tour de France Grand Depart in Lancashire, underlining its strategic importance for the region.
Organisers are already planning to expand the 2027 edition into a full weekend community cycling festival aligned with the Tour de France visit. The 2026 race is supported by partners including Skiddle, the University of Cumbria and local sponsors, with the UCI Continental team Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli targeting victory.
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