Prestigious cycling tour cancelled for 2025

The 159.2km stage in this year's event went from Saffron Walden, seen here, to Colchester, via a short visit to Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire in the Royston and Great Chishill area

Next year's edition of a prestigious cycling tour that recently took place across Essex, London, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire has had the brakes put on it.

Organisers said the RideLondon Classique would be paused in 2025 so they could "design a new concept which will engage more riders of all ages and abilities".

The decision came after Essex County Council last year agreed to host the event annually until 2026.

"No event in 2025 means that we can focus on a full strategic review of RideLondon," said Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events.

The event has included a mass participation event for up to 25,000 amateur riders and the RideLondon Classique elite women's race.

Maldon in Essex has been on the route of the race

Entrants to the 100-mile amateur race would be refunded, organisers said.

London's walking and cycling commissioner, Will Norman, said the cancellation was "disappointing news".

"I am committed to working with all partners to bring back this hugely popular event in the future," he pledged.

The first two stages ended in Colchester and Maldon, in Essex, on successive days during this year's instalment.

It was the 10th edition, having first been held in 2013 but it was cancelled when the Covid-19 pandemic social restrictions were in place in 2020 and 2021.