Stockton-on-Tees to host 2016 National Road Championships

Stockton-on-Tees will host the 2016 British Cycling National Road Championships in June next year, the governing body has confirmed, beating off a rival bid from the Isle of Man.

The town, home to former national time trial champion Chris Newton, will host the men's and women's events in that discipline on Thursday 23 June, with the road races following on Sunday 26 June.

British Cycling's director of cycle sport, Jonny Clay, said: “Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has an excellent record in staging large-scale events and they put together a very strong bid.

“I look forward to seeing their contribution to an event which is established as a landmark on the British sporting calendar with some of the biggest names in world cycling competing for the right to wear Britain’s national champion jersey for 12 months."

The Isle of Man has produced the last two men's road national race champions in the shape of current holder, Team Sky's Peter Kennaugh, and his predecessor, Etixx-Quick Step's Mark Cavendish who said in February that he was "thrilled" at the prospect of racing on home roads.

But Clay said: "Following an initial tender, British Cycling invited Stockton and the Isle of Man to present their final stage bids. It was hard to choose between them but to have two such strong bids in the final stage of selection demonstrates the attractiveness of the British Cycling National Road Race Championships to towns and cities across the country.” 

Reuben Kench, Stockton Council’s head of culture, leisure and adult learning, added: “Bringing the country’s most exciting elite cycling competition to Stockton-on-Tees is a huge coup for us

“We view the evening time-trials taking place ahead of the races themselves as an opportunity for people to find a rider to root for, which will make the experience all the more personal.

“Our intention is to position the Championships at the heart of our well-established Cycling Festival and in doing so, we will place elite racing alongside entertainment, fun and participation.

“Through the powerful combination of elite spectacle and recreational riding, we hope to change lifestyles and inspire people to get into the saddle themselves.”

This year's championships will be held in Lincoln between Thursday 25 and Sunday 28 June.