Over two brilliant days, Active Lincolnshire were proud to be part of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men as it rolled through our county.

From the historic surroundings of Lincoln's castle and the iconic Michaelgate Steep Hill to fierce battles with the winds of the coast, hundreds of people turned out to witness the world-class cycling right on our doorstep, celebrating the power of sport bringing communities together.

A dramatic opening in Lincoln

The opening stage delivered a memorable start to the race. Lincoln’s Michaelgate climb created an exciting finale as Britain’s Lewis Askey powered to victory in Gangnam style in front of the packed crowds. The stunning backdrops of Lincoln’s historic streets was the perfect showcase for both the city and the county, with spectators lining the route from start to finish.

On Thursday, attention turned to Boston as riders departed Market Place for the journey across the Lincolnshire Wolds and the coast towards Skegness. While the route may have looked flat on paper, the county’s famous winds ensured it was anything but straightforward. The race eventually finished with a high-speed sprint on the coast, where Tim Merlier claimed the stage win after a fast and tactical day of racing.

More than just a bike race

For Active Lincolnshire, the event was much more than professional cycling.

Across both days, our team had the opportunity to meet so many of you at our Let’s Move Lincolnshire stand. Visitors could test their aim with our cycling-themed bean bag challenge and enter prize giveaways to win cycling goodies. It was great to talk about the benefits of being active and the barriers that many face across our county.

Inspiring people to move more

Major events like the Tour of Britain have a unique ability to inspire people. Whether it’s finding new ways to move more or rediscovering a love of cycling, seeing these elite athletes compete can encourage us all to take that first step towards a more active lifestyle. For anyone feeling inspired by the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men, explore the Let’s Move Lincolnshire Activity Finder where you can find clubs and activities that are happening near you.

Celebrating legacies

The celebrations continued in Skegness after the finish line, where Active Lincolnshire CEO, Emma Tatlow, presented the Best Young Rider Award to Elliot Rowe. Having spent the day experiencing the race from the tour convoy, Emma was able to witness first-hand the scale and excitement of one of the UK’s biggest sporting events before joining the post-race podium celebrations.

Reflecting on the event, Emma said:

“The Lloyds Tour of Britain Men has been an unforgettable event for Lincolnshire. It has showcased the county at its very best, brought communities together, and created a powerful legacy that will inspire more people to embrace cycling and lead active lives.”

As the riders move on to the next stages of the race, the legacy of their visit remains. The crowds and excitement seen across Lincolnshire demonstrated the important role that sport and physical activity play in bringing people together and creating healthier, happier communities.

A special congratulations must go out to Lincolnshire’s very own Jacob Bush from Stamford who has been representing the Great Britain Cycling team.

Feeling inspired? Find your next activity at the Let's Move Lincolnshire Activity Finder and discover how you can get moving today.