The Ford RideLondon-Essex partnership is set to continue until 2026, after being extended by Essex County Council.

For the next three years, the 100, 60 and 30-mile events will be held in the county, along with two stages of the RideLondon Classique women's race.

Cllr Lee Scott, cabinet member for highways maintenance and sustainable transport at Essex County Council, said: "The event has been a learning experience and each year we’ve improved at being hosts.

"We have expanded resident engagement sessions and opened new channels of communication for any foreseeable problems.   

“The Ford RideLondon Classique brings world-class sport to the county while the Ford RideLondon-Essex mass participation rides raise millions of pounds for good causes each year.

"Both the professional races and the inspirational challenge rides have received great support from all the Essex communities involved. 

"The events bring thousands of people to the county every year and showcase our beautiful county on both the national and international stage.

"We very much look forward to this event improving even further in the coming years."

The London Marathon Foundation will continue to provide funding support for Active Essex throughout the partnership, to inspire activity across the county.

To date, Active Essex has received £1.75 million in funding, which has supported more than 15,000 Essex residents to take part in physical activity since May 2022.

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Hugh Brashner, event director at London Marathon Events, said: "The second edition of Ford RideLondon-Essex in May was a huge success, with more than 22,500 riders enjoying glorious sunshine, raising millions for charity with fantastic support from crowds along the route.

"We know that the event inspires tens of thousands of people to get onto their bikes to cycle more often and to take fewer trips by car.

"More than 60 per cent of participants plan to return to Essex and explore the county, which was showcased with more than seven hours of TV coverage and broadcast in 170 countries worldwide."

The 2024 edition of Ford RideLondon-Essex will take place on Sunday, May 26, 2024.

Details on when entries for the 100-mile race will open will be announced shortly.