Essex County Council today (Tuesday 4 July) confirmed that the partnership with Ford RideLondon-Essex will be extended to 2026 and the county will host the world’s greatest festival of cycling for the next three years.

The agreement will see the county continue to host the Ford RideLondon-Essex 100, 60 and 30-mile challenge rides plus two stages of the UCI Women’s WorldTour Ford RideLondon Classique, all held at different locations in the county.

As a direct benefit of the partnership with Ford RideLondon, Active Essex – the physical activity and sport partnership for Essex, Southend and Thurrock – has to date been awarded £1.75 million in funding from the London Marathon Foundation (LMF). Thanks to the LMF, more than 15,000 Essex residents have been inspired to take part in physical activity since May 2022, and the county will remain one of the LMF’s core funding areas over the next three years.

Cllr Lee Scott, Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport at Essex County Council, said: “Following two successful years of Ford RideLondon in Essex, I am delighted that our county will continue to partner until 2026. The event has been a learning experience and each year we’ve improved at being hosts. We have expanded resident engagement sessions and opened new channels of communication for any foreseeable problems.

“The Ford RideLondon Classique brings world-class sport to the county while the Ford RideLondon-Essex mass participation rides raise millions of pounds for good causes each year. Both the professional races and the inspirational challenge rides have received great support from all the Essex communities involved.

“The events bring thousands of people to the county every year and showcase our beautiful county on both the national and international stage. We very much look forward to this event improving even further in the coming years.”

Hugh Brasher, Event Director at London Marathon Events, organisers of Ford RideLondon, said: “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.”

Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “This year’s Ford RideLondon event was one of the most successful ever, bringing together cyclists of all ages and abilities. I’m delighted to be continuing this partnership with Essex County Council to deliver this inspiring event for another three years and encourage even more people from London and Essex to join the cycling revolution.”

David Lappartient, President of the UCI, said: “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.”

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.

The London Marathon Foundation (LMF) small grants programme, run with Active Essex’s Find Your Active Fund, is now open to applications. The grants, of up to £3,000, will be made from the £750,000 awarded by LMF to continue supporting communities across Essex to lead active and healthy lives, bringing the total awarded in Essex to £1.75 million since 2022. More details can be found on the Active Essex website.