More than 100 world-class riders are set to compete in the 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain race in Lincoln today.
The first leg of the national cycle race will be taking place in and around the city on Wednesday, September 2, during which 108 riders from 18 teams will take to the streets along with thousands of spectators.
The organisers have confirmed the final start list for the event, where Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) will be looking to make history at this year’s race.
It has been reported that the Dutchman only needs three more stage wins to meet Mark Cavendish’s men’s stage victory record of ten.
The former European champion Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) will be appearing in his first Lloyds Tour of Britain, and has previously been victorious during the Tour de France 2026.
Merlier is being supported by a strong Soudal Quick-Step team, including the 2014 champion Dylan van Baarle and former Milano-Sanremo winner Jasper Stuyven.
Meanwhile, former stage winner Cees Bol (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) will be searching for another victory, and the Italian time-trial specialist Filippo Ganna (Netcompany – INEOS) will be riding for the British outfit on home soil.
Ganna is a former time-trial world champion with 10 grand tour stage victories to his name and it is expected he will be looking to replicate similar form across all five stages.
He is joined by teammates Connor Swift (Netcompany – INEOS) and Ben Swift (Netcompany – INEOS), who will be looking for good results on their home roads through stages three and four in Yorkshire.
Matteo Trentin (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) will join compatriot Ganna on the start line in Lincoln, as well as Mark Donovan (Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) and Mark Stewart (Modern Adventure Pro Cycling).
Multiple national champions will also line-up at the start in Lincoln, including Greek national road race champion Nikifros Arvanitou (Team United Shipping), Serbian national road race champion Veljko Stojnic (Team United Shipping), Estonian national road race champion Frank Aron Raglio (Lucky Sport Cycling Team) and Latvian national time-trial champion Kristians Belohvosciks (BIKE AID).
The annual race will take place in five stages, the first leg is in Lincoln today, and will be followed by a second leg tomorrow across Boston and Skegness.
The third and fourth stages will take place in Yorkshire and East Riding, with the final stage on day five taking place in Earlston on the Scottish Borders on Sunday, September 6.