Alice Wood, 31, has made history by becoming the first female race director of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women 2026. Having retired from professional cycling in 2024, Wood was announced as race director this March, and she admits her eight-year-old self would hardly believe it.
A lifelong passion for cycling
“I think she’d be pretty proud,” said Wood. “When I was riding around MK Bowl, this is something I never would have imagined. I started racing nationally when I was eight and internationally when I was 10. It’s been my whole life. I met my husband when I was 14 through cycling, and my sister and I were on the national team together in many World Championships.”
“It's something I've grown up with. I love the sport, I still love riding my bike, and this opportunity was the perfect role for me.”
A milestone for the race and women's cycling
It is a momentous occasion in the history of a race that began in 2014, almost 70 years after the first iteration of the men’s event. For Wood, her appointment marks both the growing buzz around women’s cycling and a huge personal achievement.
“It means a lot,” she said. “I've loved the thought of event planning, and to be involved in a race like the Tour of Britain is really exciting. I'm grateful that British Cycling wanted to bring a female into the role and to be the first to do that is pretty cool. Women's cycling is on a real trajectory. We've seen that from the Tour de France Femmes avec Swift and how that is growing year on year.”
From competitor to race director
Wood will also bring her extensive cycling knowledge to the men’s race, as part of the race unit. She enjoyed a highly successful cycling career, capped off by 2019 British titles in both the road race and the time-trial. Despite taking on a different role this time around, Wood is well-informed on the intricacies of the Tour, having competed in the event herself.
Such is her love for the sport, the 31-year-old even trialled Stage Two of the 2026 race - and emphasised the exciting challenge ahead. “I rode home from the Lancaster Grand Prix a few weeks ago, so I did the two climbs we've got at the start of Stage Two, and they are brutal,” said Wood. “They're grippy roads and there are some tough gradients, so that is going to be interesting.”
Looking ahead to the 2026 race
The 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain begins on 19 August, kicking off on the streets of Cockermouth. Nineteen teams will take part in Britain’s biggest professional women’s cycling race, with the five stages coming to a dramatic finale in Royal Leamington Spa on 23 August.
“We've got a really strong field, with 13 UCI Women's WorldTour teams and stage winners from the Tour de France Femmes avec Swift,” said Wood. “I love all of the stages, but I think the finish of Stage Three on the Great Orme is going to be spectacular. It's really exciting.”
