Elite level cycling is returning to the North East and North Yorkshire, including circuit races in Darlington town centre, British Cycling has announced

The British National Road Championships are coming to Tees Valley as part of a partnership between British Cycling and Tees Valley Combined Authority to grow cycling and tourism links in the area.

Circuit races will be held in Darlington town centre on Friday 21 June – with stars from the world of British cycling saddling up to take part.

Cllr Libby McCollom, Darlington Council's cabinet member for local services, said: “We welcome this exciting announcement with open arms and look forward to hosting what promises to be an exhilarating midsummer’s evening of top-class cycling right here in Darlington town centre.The Northern Echo: The British Road Championships kicked off at the Croft Motor Circuit this week.

"I can’t wait to embrace the thrill of the ride 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 to create together in our beautiful town.”

This year’s event follows a successful first national championships in the region in 2023, which culminated in Pfeiffer Georgi and Fred Wright being crowned national champions on the iconic Saltburn Bank.

The championships begin on Wednesday June 19 with the time-trial events in North Yorkshire, with further details on the route to be published in due course.

In the 2023 events Josh Tarling was crowned the youngest ever elite men’s national time-trial champion, with Lizzie Holden delivering a stand-out performance to take the elite women’s crown.The Northern Echo: The British Road Championships kicked off at the Croft Motor Circuit this week.

The circuit races will then follow on Friday June 21 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 will be hoping to retain their national circuit race titles after famous victories in last year’s event in Redcar.

The championships will then conclude with the road races, which will once again start and finish in Saltburn on Sunday 23 June.

The sporting course that has been devised for this year’s event is a modified version of the 2023 route, with fewer climbs, and will pass through the picturesque seafront town each lap before heading out to take on the rolling terrain of the Tees Valley.

Fred Wright won an emotional first elite national title on Saltburn Bank last year after a dramatic solo breakaway, while Pfeiffer Georgi delighted the local crowd by powering to her second national title in the women’s race.

Ahead of today’s announcement, Wright said: “To win my first elite national road title on Saltburn Bank was incredibly special and it has been such a privilege to wear the national jersey in the pro peloton.

"It meant a huge amount to win last year and I can’t wait to head back to the seaside and battle it out against the best riders in the country with some amazing crowds.”The Northern Echo: The British Road Championships kicked off at the Croft Motor Circuit this week.

Reigning women’s national road race champion Georgi added: “Winning my second national title last year on Saltburn Bank was just amazing, and wearing the national jersey on the world stage is so special.

“Women’s racing at the minute is so exciting and we had such a good battle last year. I can’t wait to race in front of home crowds again and try and retain my jersey once again.”

The 2024 championships will bring together the time-trial, circuit and road events for a fourth consecutive year, as part of our work to grow the profile of the sport and deliver a compelling racing spectacle for riders and fans alike. The national championships are the pinnacle of the domestic road calendar, which began yesterday with the 8th ANEXO CAMS Women’s CiCLE Classic.

Today’s announcement also further highlight’s 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 latter forms part of our National Road Series and will take place on Sunday 14 April.

British Cycling’s Interim Director of Sport and Participation, Amy Gardner, said: “We’d like to thank our Tees Valley Combined Authority and their local authority partners for once again welcoming the national championships to the region.

“We know from last year just how enthralling, challenging and iconic these routes are for our riders and supporters on the roadside, and can now look forward to seeing the best of British talent going head-to-head for our national champion’s jerseys once again in June.

“Growing the profile and audience of our flagship events is vital to the future growth of our sport, the sustainability of our teams and the development of our most talented riders.

"We’ve been hugely encouraged by the support and enthusiasm of Tees Valley Combined Authority, highlighting the amazing impact our events can have on civic pride, tourism and wider work to get more people riding bikes.”

Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, said: “This fantastic partnership will further bolster our area’s growing reputation as a superb cycling destination, and we look forward to again welcoming the nation’s best riders as they take on these attractive but also highly demanding routes.

“We are continuing to grow our visitor economy and this deal will deliver millions of pounds in spending which will provide a huge boost for our great restaurants, coffee shops, accommodation providers and bike shops.

“Events such as this not only showcase the best of what our area has to offer, but also are a great way to encourage people of all ages to get on their bikes across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.”

Cllr Carrie Richardson, Cabinet Member for Climate and Culture and Deputy Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, added: “To secure the national championships road race is incredible for our borough, especially following the huge success of last year’s event.

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The Northern Echo:

"We remain absolutely committed to attracting high profile cycling events which gives 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 country views in the nation. We’ve become a key area for major cycling events in the last few years and long may that continue.”

Further route details and event information will be published in due course. Teams or riders with questions about the event can contact our team at events@britishcycling.org.uk.