The Ryedale Grand Prix returns to Ampleforth Abbey

The North Yorkshire Grand Prix, formerly known as the Ryedale Grand Prix, returns to Ampleforth Abbey on Sunday 16 August 2026, bringing a full day of road racing to the Abbey grounds and the surrounding Howardian Hills. After last year’s Yorkshire round moved to South Yorkshire, the event is back at its historic North Yorkshire setting, where the racing route combines open countryside with the distinctive climb through the Abbey grounds.

It is an easy event to picture as a family day out: vintage cars and cycling action are part of the wider atmosphere, while the Abbey provides a striking backdrop for spectators. The race itself is the main focus, with two separate competitions taking place. The Women’s Grand Prix starts at 9.15am and covers 63 miles. Riders begin with two laps of a 16.6-mile circuit passing through Ampleforth, Oulston, Yearsley and Gilling, before completing three laps of a shorter 10.5-mile loop. Every lap includes the climb through the Abbey grounds, giving spectators a chance to see the race in a setting that is very different from a standard town-centre circuit.

The afternoon brings the Open race, scheduled to start at 2pm. This covers 101 miles, made up of three laps of the longer circuit and five of the shorter one. The event forms part of the British Cycling Lloyds National Road Series, as well as the separate season-long Rapha League. A live screen at the finish will show the racing as it develops, making it easier to follow the action even when the riders are spread across the course.

There are several close contests in the series standings. In the women’s competition, Morven Yeoman of Team DAS-Hutchinson leads Lily Martin of Loughborough Lightning by 18 points, with 50 points available for the winner. The team competition is also finely balanced, with Handsling Alba Development and DAS-Hutchinson level on 663 points. In the Open race, Thomas Armstrong of Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli has a 45-point lead over teammate Tom Martin, while the Under-23 standings are separated by only six points between Lewis Tinsley of BCC Race Team and Alex Murphy of Stolen Goat Endurance.

Ampleforth Abbey’s own visitor information confirms that access to the site will be affected on Sunday by the cycle race. The Abbey is normally open to visitors, with its Visitor Centre, Tea Room and Abbey Shop open daily from 10am to 5pm, but the race-day arrangements take priority, so it is sensible to check the Abbey’s latest updates before setting out. The grounds cover 1,200 acres of North Yorkshire countryside, and the race will use two circuits running through the estate and out into the Howardian Hills.

The weekend also continues the event’s long-running connection with Grass Concrete Limited, which returns as principal sponsor. Active North Yorkshire is joining the event to highlight cycling opportunities in the area, while Yorkshire artist Garth Bayley will attend as artist in residence, capturing the professional racing on canvas. With the women’s race in the morning and the Open race in the afternoon, Sunday offers a chance to see the event build from an early start to the longer final contest, all within the historic surroundings of Ampleforth Abbey.