The world-famous Rapha Grand Prix takes place in Lincoln every May, attracting thousands of cycling enthusiasts to the city.
One of the oldest events in the UK racing calendar, the Lincoln Grand Prix men's race has been running continuously since 1956. The event has brought some of the best professional riders to Lincoln, including Sir Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish and Dame Sarah Storey.
2025 will mark the 69th edition of the race, and the steep hills of the cobbled Cathedral Quarter will once again offer an exciting and challenging route for riders.
Starting and finishing in Castle Square, the Grand Prix circuit is 13km (8 miles) long. The women's race covers 8 laps of the circuit, ahead of the men's race which covers 13 laps.
300 professional cyclists take part in the main race each year, and around 800 amateur rides take part in the sportive event on Saturday.
The Lincoln GP Sportive
You too can sample the infamous Michaelgate climb, by participating in the Lincoln GP sportive the day before the big race.
Taking place on the Saturday before the main race, the Lincoln GP Sportive has three distance rides to choose from. The good news is that whichever route you choose, you will only need to climb Michaelgate once!
Before you tackle the infamous cobbled climb, you will ride along the picturesque lanes of the challenging Lincolnshire Wolds. The shortest routes feature less hill climbs, and are perfectly suited to those new to cyclo-sportives. At just over 100 miles, the longest route is a real test as the rolling Wolds will start to take their toll!
Michaelgate will be closed to traffic on Saturday, so riders can enjoy the same experience as the professionals, and finish under the gantry that is in place for Sunday’s races.
Before departing, cyclists are welcome to grab a complimentary top-quality coffee from GP partner, Rapha. Everyone taking part will also get first class support throughout their ride, with mechanical back-up, medical supplies and great feed stations along the way. Upon completion, riders will be given an official finish time - and a finishers medal.
If you want to watch the Lincoln Sportive, Michaelgate is one of the best places to be. The hill is only 200m long but the gradient is up to 20% in places so you'll be able to see the riders fight it out as they head towards the Cathedral - and they will definitely appreciate some support and encouragement on the way up!
