The Tour of Britain is returning to the North York Moors, for the first time since the dramatic finish in Duncombe Park, Helmsley in 2022 where Tom Pidcock was pipped at the line. Stage two on Wednesday 4 September of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain 2024 will depart from Darlington, winding its way through the North York Moors National Park before heading north at Whitby skirting the coast to the finish line in Redcar. The Tour of Britain is the UK's biggest professional bike race and a UCI ProSeries event.
Within the National Park there will be a series of unclassified climbs around Commondale, Castleton, and Danby, before the first King of the Mountains climb above Ugglebarnby, averaging over 8% across its one-kilometre length.
The race then drops down to Robin Hood’s Bay, climbs back out before heading north past Whitby Abbey to descend into the famous North Yorkshire seaside town.
Stage two’s final categorised climb is the 1.7 kilometres of Lythe Bank, averaging 7.7% as it ascends from Sandsend, ultimately taking the race past Staithes into Redcar & Cleveland, where it will tackle a lap made up of many of the roads used in June’s Lloyds Bank British National Road Race Championships.
After over 2,500 metres of ascent in the stage, the final few kilometres alongside the North Sea between Marske-by-the-Sea and Redcar will offer some respite, but the exposed nature of coast road means that the wind could pose a final challenge to overcome in the home stretch to Zetland Park.
Tom Pidcock (INEOS Grenadiers) will race in the Tour of Britain, becoming the second gold medallist from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to confirm his participation in the race.
The 25-year-old joins the likes of double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel, and former race winner Julian Alaphilippe (both Soudal Quick-Step) on the provisional start list for the 20th edition of Britain’s biggest professional cycle race.
Can't catch the action live? Worry not, there'll also be a one hour highlights show each evening. ITV4 and ITVX will be broadcasting live coverage of every stage of the Tour of Britain.
Planning ahead for the day
Some of the best viewing will be in the Esk Valley, given the challenging climbs the race pace will be relatively slower. Danby Lodge National Park Centre in the heart of the Esk Valley will be a great place to base yourself, with activities, walks and a café – the route will past right behind the building before heading up the climb towards Danby Beacon. Have a look at the new accessible adventure playground, Danby Den.
British Cycling provide a detailed route guide for the stage, including elevation profiles.
If travelling by car, please park sensibility, not blocking the race route or access to property. Parking restrictions will be in place across the race route to ensure the safety of the riders, support vehicles, spectators and other road users.
Rolling road closures along the race route will generally last no more than 30-45 minutes within, apart from at the start and finish, up-to-date details on predicted road closures are available from North Yorkshire Council and Redcar and Cleveland's website
Police motorcycles will close off the race route before the riders are expected. Roads will reopen after the last support vehicles have passed.
Fast rail and travel options make the National Park an easy place to get to - options for travel via fast rail on the Esk Valley Rail line, between Middlesborough and Whitby or North Yorkshire Moors Railway between Pickering and Whitby.
Minds and Miles Cycling event
If you're inspired after the race then get on your bike and explore the rest of the National Park for yourself.
Join us for a bespoke cycling event - Minds and Miles, a cycling event created to help you slow down, look up and enjoy the North York Moors National Park by bike - pedalling with purpose with your favourite people.
A family focussed event with a variety of route options - including road, gravel and family mountain bike ride, including feed stations and medal on completion. Taking place on Sunday 29 September at Sutton Bank National Park Centre. Sign up here.
North York Moors - made for cycling
Not local but want in on the action? Have a look at our cycling friendly network of businesses, who have gone the extra mile to offer specific activities, facilities, information and services to enhance your cycling experience in the North York Moors.
We've routes for all abilities whether you're a family cyclist or an experienced mountain biker.
Explore our various cycling routes across the North York Moors. If you're looking for a challenge or several days worth of road cycling then check out the North York Moors Cycleway. It covers 170 miles in a figure of eight loop and takes in the very best of National Park scenery.
For mountain bike fans, Dalby Forest is England’s largest trail centre, and features over 40 miles of trails that snake through the trees and across the plateau – great for families and experienced cyclists alike.
The views from Sutton Bank on the western edge of the National Park are immense – and you can see them for yourself by bike on four interlinked trails that start and finish at bike rental outlet Sutton Bank Bikes.
There’s also plenty of places to hire a bike or join a guided ride for insider tips on the best singletrack, trails and road routes.