RideLondon Classique today confirmed a new agreement with Essex County Council to take the race to the area for 3 more years until the end of 2026. It secures the race’s 3-stage set-up since moving from its old location Surrey after the Covid pandemic. This year’s race saw Charlotte Kool win 2 stages and take the overall GC, with Chloe Dygert winning the other stage and finishing 2nd place.
The county will remain the venue for the Ford RideLondon-Essex 100, 60, and 30-mile challenge rides, along with two stages of the UCI Women’s WorldTour Ford RideLondon Classique, hosted at various sites in the county. The collaboration with Ford RideLondon has resulted in Active Essex, a physical activity and sports partnership for Essex, Southend, and Thurrock, receiving £1.75 million from the London Marathon Foundation. Since May 2022, these funds have helped more than 15,000 Essex residents participate in physical activities. This funding will continue for the following three years.
“Events on the prestigious UCI Women’s WorldTour calendar provide a fantastic showcase both for women’s professional cycling, and for their host cities and regions. It is therefore excellent news that Essex will be part of the Ford RideLondon Classique for the next three years. In 2022 and 2023, the county hosted two exciting stages before the peloton moved to London for the third and final day of racing. This format has proven extremely popular with riders and fans, who can now look forward to at least another three years of top-class racing at the Ford RideLondon Classique.”
David Lappartient, President of the UCI
“The second edition of Ford RideLondon-Essex in May was a huge success, with more than 22,500 riders enjoying glorious sunshine, raising millions for charity with fantastic support from crowds along the route. We know that the event inspires tens of thousands of people to get onto their bikes to cycle more often and to take fewer trips by car. More than 60 per cent of participants plan to return to Essex and explore the county, which was showcased with more than seven hours of TV coverage and broadcast in 170 countries worldwide.”
Hugh Brasher, Event Director at London Marathon Events, organisers of Ford RideLondon
The 2024 edition of Ford RideLondon-Essex will take place on Sunday 26 May. Details on when entries for the 2024Ford RideLondon-Essex 100 will open will be announced shortly.
