Rod Ellingworth has returned to British Cycling as Race Director for Tour of Britain events, in the next chapter of a relationship which began with the creation of our Great Britain Cycling Team Academy programme two decades ago
News: Ellingworth is new Tour of Britain Director
ROD ELLINGWORTH APPOINTED AS RACE DIRECTOR FOR TOUR OF BRITAIN EVENTS
British Cycling Press Release: “Rod Ellingworth has returned to British Cycling as Race Director for Tour of Britain events, in the next chapter of a relationship which began with the creation of our Great Britain Cycling Team Academy programme two decades ago.
Rod brings almost 15 years of experience working at the sport’s biggest races to the role, and will be a pivotal member of an experienced team that is being brought together to support the delivery of the two events in 2024.
He first joined British Cycling in 2002 and was integral to the creation of our trailblazing Olympic academy programme, which provided the likes of Mark Cavendish, Geraint Thomas, Ed Clancy and many more with the foundations for long and successful careers in the professional peloton.
After supporting the Great Britain Cycling Team at the Olympic Games in Beijing, London and Rio, he left British Cycling in 2017 to fully commit to his role with Team Sky, supporting his academy graduate Thomas to the yellow jersey in 2018. He then took up the role of General Manager for Bahrain-McLaren, before returning to Ineos as Deputy Team Principal.
His appointment reflects British Cycling’s ambition to develop British talent across all event functions, to support the future growth, sustainability and success of the races.
Speaking about his appointment, Rod said: “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.”
“British Cycling has been a huge part of my life and is in many ways like a second family for me. 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.
“This is a new role and a new set of skills for me, but I’ve been encouraged and supported by other Race Directors in the sport. I’ve spent a good portion of my life on the road at the sport’s biggest races, and will be drawing on all of that experience to make the Tours of Britain the very best they can be.”
… Continued after the advert …
“As the son of an event organiser and the dad of a young boy starting his own journey as a rider, I feel a real responsibility to get this right, but also huge excitement about the start of a new chapter and challenge in the sport.”
Rod joins a growing team working towards the delivery of the events in 2024, starting with the Tour of Britain Women from 6-9 June. Working alongside him will be Andy Hawes (Route Director), Mark Leyland (Start Director), Paul Knight (Finish Director) and Lucy Jones (Major Events Consultant), who collectively possess more than four decades of experience working on the Tour of Britain and major international events across sport.”
Work is continuing to finalise the route details for the Tour of Britain Women, with a further update to be shared in the coming weeks.
British Cycling CEO, Jon Dutton OBE, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Rod, Andy, Mark, Paul and Lucy to the team, as we continue to work around the clock to ensure the delivery of our Tour of Britain events this year.”
“Rod returns to British Cycling with an enormous amount of knowledge and experience, and I know that he is fiercely passionate about helping the races to grow and succeed in the future. We’re looking forward to supporting his development in the role, as part of our commitment to providing opportunities for British talent through our flagship events.”
“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 further details of the Tour of Britain Women route over the coming weeks. It continues to be a real race against time, but we remain excited by the opportunity and overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and support being shown towards the events.”
PHOTO: 2005 (when we both worked for BC/GB) ‘Rodders’ coaching the Under 23 GB team including legends Mark Cavendish, Geraint Thomas, Ed Clancy & Matt Brammeier.
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- TT Result: North Tyneside Riders CC
- TT Result: SVTTA 30 Pinky Williams Trophy
- TT Result: Royal Dean Forest Cycle Club 25
- TT Result: VC Baracchi 50
- TT Result: West Cheshire TTCA 25
- TT Result: Southdown Velo Fontwell Ten-mile Gallop
- TT Result: Kent CA 10
- TT Result: Didcot Phoenix CC 10
- TT Result: Wigan Whs 10
- TT Result: VTTA (E.Mids) 25
- TT Result: Maldon & District CC 10
- TT Result: VTTA (North Midlands) 10
- Result: RL360 Isle of Man Youth League 18
- TT Result: Yorkshire Road Club Victory Cup
- Result: Doncaster Dome Crits
- Result: Jolibar Trophy 2025 Road Race
- Result: John Holman Memorial Race
- Result: SACA Salt Ayre Tuesday Series #19
- Result: Surrey League 2/3 Road Race
- Winners! Ribble Outliers Latvian Triple!
- Result: Friz Hill Road Race
- Result: Beaumont Trophy/Curlew Cup
- Result/Report: Harrogate Nova Road Race
- Report/Result: Mid Shropshire Wheelers Friday Night Cyclo-Cross
- Result: On Yer Bike Crit Series #9
- Result: Full Gas Summer Circuit Series 22
- Result: PNE Mountbatten Circuit Series #9
- Result: Schils Summer Circuit Races 2
- World Records for Bjergfelt & Richardson
- TT Result: Finsbury Park CC 25
- Result: RL360 Isle of Man Youth League
- Result: Full Gas Summer Circuit Series 21
- Result: Full Gas Summer Circuit Series 20
- Result: Scottish Senior and Junior Criterium Championships
- GB FOR JUNIOR TRACK WORLD CHAMPS
- Result: West Thames League Rnd 18
- Result: SACA Salt Ayre Tuesday 18
- Result: RCR ALTA VIA Goodwood Special
- TT Result: Aerologic RT 15
- TT Result: VCC late-season 25m TT
Other News on VeloUK
- Winners! Ribble Outliers Latvian Triple!
- GB FOR JUNIOR TRACK WORLD CHAMPS
- Beaumont Trophy/Curlew Cup 2025
- STAGE ROUTES ANNOUNCED FOR MEN’S TOUR OF BRITAIN
- TOUR OF BRITAIN NEWS – THE TEAMS
- Startlist: RTTC National 25 Mile Championship
- Ribble Cycles CGR – Commute, Gravel, Road range
- Tour of Britain News: 2 Days in Wales
- News: The Pedal Club Lunch (July)
- STARTLIST: National Youth Circuit Series (Wyke)
- Men’s Tour of Britain Route Update
- GB Team for Track Euros
- Opening of Sir Mark Cavendish Raceway
- Bike News: Ribble Cycles Alloy Bikes
- This Weekend: Junior Road Championships
- Wednesday: Otley Cycle Races
- Mid Shropshire Wheelers celebrates 100 Years of Cycling
- Team Feature: Prologue Junior Racing Team Spring Review
- New: Ribble Cycles Ultra-Grit & Allgrit Ranges
- START LISTS FOR BRITISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS
- STARTLIST: Two day Giant Tugby Ronde van Wymeswold
- NEWS: MAJOR JUNIOR TEAMS TO MERGE FOR 2026
- Entries Wanted: Ilkley Town Centre Races
- Report/Result: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage 2
- Report: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage 1
- STARTLIST: Owen Blower Memorial Road Races
- Events: Halesowen Academy Road Race
- News: May Pedal Club Lunch
- RIBBLE PARTNERS WITH THE BIKE FITTERS
- Monday: Witham Wheelers Road Races
- British Stars for Women’s Tour of Britain
- Women’s Tour of Britain Riders 2025
- BIKES: RIBBLE UNVEILS ULTRA-RACE
- Women’s Tour of Britain Routes
- STARTLISTS: 2025 Lincoln Grand Prix
- STARTLIST: The Witham Hall Grand Prix
- Startlist: Timmy James Memorial Grand Prix
- FEATURE: PEDAL CLUB LUNCH REPORT (APRIL)
- 2025 BRITISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS – ROUTES
- STARTLIST: Sloan Trophy (April 27)