North Powys provides toughest stage in national cycling race

Llanidloes will take centre stage in this year’s Lloyd’s Tour of Britain Women as the town hosts the start of what promises to be the toughest stage of the race.

Race organisers have unveiled the full route for the 2026 event, with riders set to tackle the longest Tour of Britain Women in history. Across five stages, the world’s best cyclists will cover 635.8 kilometres and almost 9,000 metres of climbing from August 19-23.

For Powys, attention will focus on stage four on Saturday, 22 August, when the peloton rolls out from Llanidloes for a gruelling 138km journey to Hay-on-Wye.

The stage features a punishing 2,484 metres of climbing, the highest elevation gain of any day in this year’s race, and is expected to play a decisive role in the battle for the overall title.

After leaving Llanidloes, riders will head south to Rhayader before entering the Elan Valley, where they face the toughest climb of the day. The 5.3km ascent averages five per cent, with a steep middle section reaching around 10% for almost a kilometre.

The route then returns through Rhayader before continuing across the rolling roads of Nantmel, Crossgates and Bleddfa. From Knighton, the race heads south through Norton, Gladestry and Painscastle before finishing in Hay-on-Wye.

The demanding route through the Cambrian Mountains is expected to test even the strongest climbers and could prove decisive before the final stage in Warwickshire the following day.

The wider race begins in Cockermouth on 19 August before visiting Clitheroe, Blackpool, Mold and Llandudno, with the finish taking place in Royal Leamington Spa on 23 August.

Across the five days, riders will pass through Cumbria, Lancashire, Flintshire, Denbighshire, Conwy, Powys and Warwickshire, taking in landscapes including the Lake District, Lancashire Fells, the Great Orme and the Cambrian Mountains.

Jonathan Day, Director of Events for British Cycling Ventures, said: “Announcing the route is one of the key milestones in the build up to the Lloyd’s Tour of Britain Women, as it gives riders, teams and fans their first real insight into how this year’s race could unfold.

“We have put together a course that provides opportunities for a range of different rider types to try and challenge for the title, ensuring every stage has the potential to shape the overall outcome.

“Beyond the sporting challenge, the route reflects our ambition to bring elite women’s cycling to the diverse communities across Britain. Each stage will showcase a different part of the country and provide fans with the chance to experience world class racing on their doorstep. We are excited to see the race come to life and to welcome spectators to what promises to be a fantastic edition of the Lloyd’s Tour of Britain Women.”

The race is expected to attract thousands of spectators to Llanidloes and communities along the Powys route, providing a significant boost for local businesses while showcasing Mid Wales to an international audience.