RideLondon, the premier cycling sportive in the United Kingdom, has announced an indefinite suspension. This difficult decision was made in light of ongoing operational and financial challenges, marking a significant moment for one of the country's most prominent cycling events. The event, which has a rich history dating back to 2013, encompassed both professional races for men and women, alongside its widely popular mass participation rides. Its last iteration occurred in 2024 as RideLondon-Essex, featuring the Women's WorldTour race, the RideLondon Classique.
Established as a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic Games, RideLondon consistently held its place in the annual calendar from 2013 to 2019, only pausing in 2020 and 2021 due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. It made a successful return in 2022, partnering with Essex County Council. Over its ten successful editions, the event inspired more than half a million participants to engage in its mass rides and notably generated over £85 million for various charitable causes, leaving a considerable positive mark on communities and philanthropic efforts across the UK.
London Marathon Events, the organizers behind RideLondon, released a statement clarifying their decision. They highlighted that the event's indefinite pause stems from a thorough review of its operational and financial viability. This comes after an earlier announcement in 2024 regarding the cancellation of the 2025 RideLondon Classique, a Women's WorldTour race, attributed to scheduling conflicts and date changes by the UCI, the sport's governing body. A men's WorldTour equivalent also ran until 2019.
The event was a key component of the esteemed London Classics series, which also includes the iconic London Marathon and the open-water swimming challenge, Swim Serpentine. This trio of events celebrated London's commitment to large-scale sporting participation and community engagement. Despite the current format's cessation, the organizers emphasize that RideLondon's legacy will endure through the countless individuals it motivated to cycle and the substantial charitable contributions it facilitated over the years.
Moving forward, the focus will shift towards initiatives aimed at broadening access to cycling and actively encouraging sustainable travel within London and its surrounding regions. Will Norman, London's cycling and walking commissioner, expressed his dedication to collaborating with all stakeholders to explore possibilities for the event's future return in some capacity, underscoring its immense popularity and significance within the cycling community.