All eyes on Lincoln for 2026 Rapha Grand Prix
Michaelgate played a defining role for professional and amateur riders alike during a weekend of cycling that culminated in the 70th edition of the Lincoln Grand Prix.
There was a new route for the first time in 38 years, which took the riders through the arch on Exchequergate from the starting line and past Lincoln Cathedral on every lap. This added to the ambience of the already prestigious race but did not affect the age-old question for GP participants…would they have enough to tackle the cobbles of Michaelgate (above) at the end of each circuit loop?
Many did with crowds of spectators cheering them on, but in both professional races cyclists fell by the wayside with the 103km/167km laps for women and the Open respectively taking their toll.
In the women’s race – the 11th of the GP events – 98 riders started and 75 finished.
Morven Yeoman and Noémie Thomson (below) made it a one-two for the DAS-Hutchinson team and Anna Morris of Wales crossed the line in third.
The open race around the longer circuit in the afternoon saw a bigger body count as of the 145 riders to start only 44 finished with podium places going to Oliver Wood of RCC Racing (bottom), private rider Jack Rootkin-Gray and Thomas Armstrong of Wheelbase CabTech Castelli.
Both races were critical in the Rapha Super-League title battle and introduced new contenders into the arena.
Saturday had seen the Lincoln GP Sportive attract hundreds of riders out to test their mettle on the course that would be ridden by their professional counterparts the following day. Brad Shenton was first across the line over 53 miles; Neil Fahey led the 75-mile field home while Clarion rider Alan Nicholson took the 100-mile title.
Pictures: Milan Josy/The British Continental
