'It's party time' as Tour of Britain reaches Yorkshire

Spectators, cycling groups and a former Olympian were among those who welcomed riders to Hull and East Yorkshire for stage three of the 2026 Tour of Britain men’s cycling race earlier.

The riders set off in Hull and raced through towns and villages including Bilton, Preston, Hedon, Withernsea, Mappleton, Hornsea, Skipsea, Langtoft and Driffield, before finishing in Beverley.

They covered a total of about 120.6 miles (194.1km), with an elevation of 636.8ft (1,612m).

A free cycling festival was also held in Hull, as well as flag-making in Withernsea and more celebrations in Beverley.

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The third day of the Tour of Britain set off from Hull [BBC/Dale Baxter]

The race began with a neutralised start at East Park before the official racing got under way on the B1239 Wyton Road.

Among the spectators was former Olympian and Great Britain track and road cyclist Ed Clancy, who said it was “fantastic” to see the race and so many people taking part in the festival.

“The beautiful thing about cycling is that it transcends just being a pure sport. Cycling is a fantastic tool for fun, for leisure and for getting out into the beautiful green surroundings that you have here in East Yorkshire.”

British BMX racer Ross Cullen was also at the festival of cycling and said it was his first time “embracing Hull as a city”.

“Cycling round this country is something I’m really keen to do, so it’s my honour to be here and sharing my love for two wheels.”

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Elite BMX racer Ross Cullen says it is an honour to be in Hull [BBC/Dale Baxter]

Both villages welcomed the riders with open arms – and plenty of decorations.

Adrian and Karen Cromack travelled from Scunthorpe to watch the event, and were also heading to Beverley and Skipsea to catch another glimpse.

Adrian said: “It was astonishing, absolutely unbelievable, beautiful. It’s just so quick.

“You think about the money that has been spent, but it’s worth it for sure.”

Lindsey Jones was watching outside her house, which she had decorated for the occasion, alongside her sister, Hayley Johnson.

She said: “It’s just the buzz and the excitement of it all. [We wanted] to see the races, make them feel supported, and be part of the community.”

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Adrian and Karen Cromack travelled to Bilton from Scunthorpe to watch the race [BBC/Sally Fairfax]

The celebrations were in full force to welcome the riders to the seaside town.

Councillor Kristina Richardson, mayor of Withernsea, said: “We’ve got one mission here as a community, and that’s to put Withernsea on the map. And today we’re making a big stride to do that.

“Balloons, bunting, flags, you name it, we’re having a party.”

Children were able to make their own flags and banners, as well as getting their face painted.

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Towns and villages along the route pulled out all the stops to welcome the riders, including in Withernsea [BBC/Amanda White]

As the peloton sped through Hornsea, father and son Ashley and Chris Payne were there to cheer on the riders.

Just seconds after they had whizzed past, Chris said he had been following the tour for the past three days and was planning on volunteering at the finish line in Beverley.

“It’s really important that we can get people out, we can see what East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire has to offer and hopefully just generate a little bit of interest for people to come and visit who maybe wouldn’t otherwise, so it’s great.”

Cycling club Hornsea Peloton were also there to greet the cyclists with their own bikes. They also planned to ride over to Beverley to see them again at the end of the stage.

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Chris Payne (right) says it is “really good” to see the top cycling teams racing in the area [BBC/Sally Fairfax]

Although the race finished in Beverley, the town had been celebrating while they awaited the riders’ arrival.

The North Bar area was decorated with themed bunting and flags, and businesses were encouraged to join the celebrations by decorating their own fronts.

There was also a tour village on Beverley Westwood, which featured a mountain bike show, aerial displays and free cycling sessions.

Sam Barlow said local cycling clubs had been invited to ride along some of the route and cross the finish line before the competitors arrived.

“It’s so lovely to see people out together and enjoying the gorgeous countryside,” she said. “Being part of an event like this that we watch on telly in awe and admiration, and we’ve got to have a little experience of that. It’s amazing.”

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Sam Barlow describes watching the riders in Beverley as “amazing” [BBC/Kell Sharpe]

Dutch cyclist Olav Kooij, who rides for Decathlon CMA CGM, won the third stage of the race. However, stage one champion and British rider Lewis Askey remains in the overall lead.

The fourth stage of the race will get under way in Helmsley tomorrow at about 11:00 BST.

Additional reporting by Carla Greene, Dale Baxter, Kell Sharpe, Sally Fairfax and Amanda White.

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