How does the Tour Series work?

The Tour Series is Britain’s leading circuit race series, with town centres playing host to fun, fast and free cycling starring the UK’s best teams and riders.

But for racegoers new to the series, or those who just want a refresher on how it works, our handy guide will quickly get you up to speed.

What’s the objective of the series?

Launched in 2009, the Tour Series started life as the most innovative event in professional cycling and it remains the case today.

The series is all about the teams, so when a rider crosses the line first it doesn’t necessarily follow that their team also wins the round. Yes, that rider gets the honour and glory of the individual victory, but the aim for teams is to complete the race in the lowest cumulative time.

Teams are permitted to start each race with five riders, and it is the combined time of their three highest-placed riders that decides who is the fastest on the night. The team who consistently performs the best and scores the highest combined points tally claim the prestigious Tour Series title.

How many teams take part?

In 2022, both the men’s and women’s series featured 13 teams. They are all allowed to name an 10-rider squad ahead of the series start, with a maximum of five riders permitted to compete in each round.

How long does each round last?

Both races last for one hour plus five laps.

What points are awarded at each round?

The top 10 teams scored points at all seven rounds in 2022: 10 for each winner on the night down to one. The team topping the classification in both the men’s and women’s series wore our leaders’ jerseys – in 2022 these were yellow and sponsored by Freewheel.co.uk, the innovative cycling retail website created to support small businesses.

The men’s and women’s teams who accumulate the most points across the seven rounds will win the Tour Series titles. Should teams be level in the standings at that point, the winners will be the squad who claimed the most round victories throughout the series.

Who are the previous winners?

Click here for comprehensive results from the 10 editions of the Tour Series to date.

What is the Freewheel.co.uk sprints competition?

Three intermediate sprints will take place during each round. The first five individuals across the line at each sprint, as well as at the end of the race, will earn points in ascending order of 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1. The rider who accumulates the most points at the end of each round of the series will wear the blue Freewheel.co.uk sprints jersey.

How much does it cost to watch?

Nothing! It’s absolutely free of charge for spectators who want to see the Britain’s best cyclists in action. The circuit-based nature of the Tour Series also means fans get to see the riders pass by numerous times during each race!

Is your Tour Series question still unanswered? Visit our FAQs page for more information.