Rod Ellingworth will take over as race director of the Tour of Britain, his first role since departing the management of Ineos Grenadiers during the winter.
The appointment was announced by British Cycling on Tuesday afternoon. Ellingworth had previously spent 15 years working for the federation before focusing fully on his role at Team Sky ahead of the 2017 season.
Ellingworth takes over as race director from Mick Bennett after British Cycling terminated its agreement with previous organiser Sweetspot in November in a dispute over licence fees. Last month, British Cycling announced that it aimed to organise both the men’s and women’s Tours of Britain in 2024 and beyond.
“One of my early cycling memories is being at the UCI Road World Championships at Goodwood Circuit in 1982, and that experience lit a fire in me which has continued to burn every day since. I know how valuable and lifechanging the experience and memories of major cycling events can be, and feel incredibly privileged to now have the opportunity to play such a vital role in the future of the Tours of Britain,” Ellingworth said in a statement released by British Cycling on Tuesday, adding that the federation was “in many ways like a second family for me”.
Ellingworth oversaw the British Cycling academy programme that helped propel Mark Cavendish and Geraint Thomas to the professional ranks, and he also served as team director for the British squad when Cavendish won the World Championships in Copenhagen in 2011.
“The sport has changed so much since we launched the academy in 2004, but I’m excited by the level of ambition and energy around the events, and want to play my part in protecting and growing them for the next generation,” said Ellingworth.
Although no sporting or sponsorship details have yet been announced, British Cycling said last month that the men’s and women’s Tours of Britain remain scheduled on the 2024 calendar. “The financial position BC finds itself in is tough,” Chief Executive Jon Dutton admitted last month.
The Tour of Britain Women is slated for June 4-9, while the men’s race is pencilled in for September 1-8.
British Cycling confirmed on Tuesday that Ellingworth will work on the organisation of the events with a team that includes route director Andy Hawes, Mark Leyland, Paul Knight and Lucy Jones.
“I’m incredibly proud of the work our team has done in a short space of time to progress plans for the events, and we look forward to sharing…
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