Lancaster Grand Prix Returns to the Lloyds National Road Race Series For 2026
The Lancaster Grand Prix road race will return to the 2026 British Cycling Elite National Road Series calendar on Sunday 12 July 2026. The event, first held in 2019, will once again bring elite-level racing to Lancashire, with both men’s and women’s categories competing on a challenging circuit based in Williamson Park.
For Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli, the return of the Lancaster Grand Prix represents a key target in the 2026 domestic road racing calendar. The team has come close to victory on multiple occasions in previous editions and will line up in July with the clear objective of securing first place.
Lancaster Grand Prix 2026: Event Overview
- Date: Sunday 12 July 2026
- Series: British Cycling Elite National Road Series
- Location: Lancaster, Lancashire
- Start/Finish: Williamson Park
- Format: Multi-lap circuit race
- Categories: Elite men and elite women
The event is supported by Lancashire County Council, Lancaster City Council and additional partners yet to be confirmed. Organisers have confirmed that the necessary resources are in place to deliver the race to the established standard of previous editions.
The circuit will cover part of the proposed route for Stage 2 of the 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ in Lancashire, reinforcing the event’s strategic importance within the region’s long-term cycling plans.
Institutional and Governing Body Support
The return of the Lancaster Grand Prix has been secured through coordinated support from:
Lancashire County Council, Lancaster City Council, British Cycling, Local and regional partners
Key objectives outlined by stakeholders include:
- Showcasing Lancashire as a destination for elite cycling
- Supporting local businesses and community engagement
- Strengthening the county’s sporting profile
- Building momentum ahead of the 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ
British Cycling has confirmed the event’s reinstatement into the Lloyds National Road Series, recognising its established reputation for competitive racing and organisational quality.
Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli: Targeting Victory in 2026
Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli will attend the 2026 Lancaster Grand Prix with a defined performance objective.
- Multiple near-podium and podium-contending performances in previous editions
- Strong course suitability for aggressive, selective racing
- Strategic importance within the Lloyds National Road Race Series standings
The Williamson Park circuit typically rewards:
- Repeated high-intensity climbing efforts
- Technical descending and positioning
- Tactical team coordination
Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli has demonstrated competitiveness on similar circuits across the UK domestic calendar. In 2026, the team will aim to convert previous close finishes into an outright win.
Lancaster Grand Prix and the 2027 Tour de France Legacy
Organisers have outlined plans to expand the 2027 edition into a broader weekend community cycling festival. This will:
- Align with the Tour de France Grand Départ in Lancashire
- Strengthen community participation
- Support long-term cycling infrastructure and engagement
- Deliver economic benefit to the region
The 2026 race forms a transitional step toward that larger 2027 programme, reinforcing Lancaster’s position within the national cycling calendar.
Lloyds National Road Race Series 2026 Calendar
The Lancaster Grand Prix is Round 4 of the 2026 Lloyds National Road Race Series. The full schedule is:
Round 1
The East Cleveland Classic
Saltburn – Sunday 12 April 2026
Round 2
Rapha Lincoln Grand Prix – Open
Lincoln – Sunday 10 May 2026
Round 3
Tour of the Reservoir
Consett – Sunday 7 June 2026
Round 4
Lancaster Grand Prix
Lancaster – Sunday 12 July 2026
Round 5
South Molton GP
South Molton – Sunday 19 July 2026
Round 6
Beaumont Trophy
Stamfordham – Sunday 9 August 2026
Round 7
North Yorkshire Grand Prix
Ampleforth – Sunday 16 August 2026
The series continues to represent the highest level of domestic road racing in Britain, attracting leading UCI Continental teams and elite riders.
Lloyds National Circuit Series 2026
In addition to the road race series, the Lloyds National Circuit Series provides high-speed town centre racing throughout June and July:
- Fort Vale Colne Grand Prix – Colne (16 June 2026)
- LOGCO Otley Cycle Races – Otley (1 July 2026)
- Ilkley Cycle Races – Ilkley (3 July 2026)
- CANYON Guildford Town Centre Races – Guildford (8 July 2026)
- Dawlish Grand Prix – Dawlish (17 July 2026)
- Sheffield Grand Prix – Sheffield (22 July 2026)
These events complement the road race calendar and offer further opportunities for teams such as Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli to secure national series points.
Focus on July 12, 2026
The return of the Lancaster Grand Prix strengthens the 2026 British domestic road racing calendar and reinforces Lancashire’s role in elite cycling.
For Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli, the objective is clear: convert previous near-success into victory on home roads and secure a defining result in Round 4 of the Lloyds National Road Race Series.