First citizen excited as world’s top teams head for MK roads.
Organisers of Britain’s biggest professional cycle race have announced the 19-team field for this September’s event – and it’s headlined by the debut of multiple Tour de France winning squads and the world’s number one ranked team, UAE Team Emirates - XRG.
The Lloyds Tour of Britain Men starts in Milton Keynes on stage three of the six stage event next month, and MK Mayor James Lancaster says he is delighted to see the city chosen to host a stage.
It marks a return for Britain’s national tour to Milton Keynes for the first time in 17 years, with the city last hosting a start during the 2008 race. Thirteen of the teams participating in the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men were in action during the Tour de France, winning 16 of the 21 stages between them.
Nine top tier UCI World Teams will contest the event, which begins from Woodbridge in Suffolk on Tuesday 2nd September, the most that have raced in Britain’s national Tour since 2019. It comes to MK and then on to Ampthill on Thursday 4th.
“I’m delighted that Milton Keynes has once again been chosen for this brilliant cycling event,” said the Mayor.
“As a cycling city, it’s appropriate that the race is coming to our streets, starting at Midsummer Boulevard, and I look forward to following the event as it happens. I wish all the top teams involved the best of luck.”
All three of the most successful teams in the history of the modern Lloyds Tour of Britain Men will be a part of this year’s line-up, with Soudal Quick-Step, INEOS Grenadiers, and Team Visma | Lease a Bike having won an incredible 64 stages between them.
Last year’s victorious team of Stevie Williams, Israel – Premier Tech, return as one of eight UCI ProTeams competing in the event. Among them will be a third squad making their event debut, Tudor Pro Cycling, who could include former winner Julian Alaphilippe (2018) in their six-rider squad.
In total, 12 of the world’s top 17 teams, according to the most recent UCI rankings (29 July), will be in action through Milton Keynes in September.
Completing the 19-team line-up and providing a second British team (alongside INEOS Grenadiers) in the race will be the Great Britain Cycling Team, an ever present in the national tour since 2012.
