BRITAIN’S most prestigious cycle race riding into Lancashire later this year.
Tour of Britain cyclists will ride through Belmont, Chapeltown, Edgworth and Edenfield.
This is the second time Tour of Britain has included parts of Lancashire in its route, which this year was unveiled at a special launch event yesterday.
In 2015 huge crowds lined the roads across the Ribble Valley and Pendle to see some of the world’s top cyclists peddle through the toughest stage of this year’s event.
Tour of Britain is Britain is billed as the biggest professional cycle race.
The final leg of the race, which features eight stages starting September 7 in Glasgow, will start in Altrincham with competitors cycling covering parts of Lancashire, Bolton and Bury — which notably features the famous climb of the Rake in Ramsbottom — crossing the moorlands, passing through the areas of Bromley Cross, Horwich and Blackrod, before exiting to Wigan, Salford and then racing into the heart of Manchester to the finish line in Deansgate. The final day of racing includes almost 2,000 metres of climbing.
Cycling czar for Greater Manchester, Olympian Chris Boardman, said: “This is the only event in the world that can link together ten districts — a city region. I’m glad that the leaders of Greater Manchester have taken this on.”
Across the eight stages riders will tackle uphill finishes at in Newcastle-upon-Tyne city centre, Kendal in Cumbria and Burton Dassett Country Park in Warwickshire.
“This year’s race is a quintessentially British affair, combining the short and sharp climbs we’re famed for with finishes for the world’s best sprinters and hopefully a few surprises along the way,” said Race Director Mick Bennett.
Adrian Letts, CEO of Retail, OVO Energy, added: “We’re incredibly excited for this year’s OVO Energy Tour of Britain to begin, bringing fans and spectators across the country unparalleled access to watch the world’s best teams and riders competing on their doorsteps. This is our third year sponsoring the OVO Energy Tour of Britain and we’re thrilled to see an amazing route featured, ready to challenge the cyclists and entertain spectators.”
Sir Richard Leese, Vice Chair of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, said: “It’s fantastic to welcome the Tour of Britain back to Greater Manchester as one of the biggest races in the calendar. Manchester is the home of British Cycling with some of the UK’s top riders based locally, so it seems fitting that the final stage of this incredible race returns to the region in September.”
Tour of Britain will be screened live on ITV4 along with a nightly highlights programme of the best of the action and as well as live coverage on Eurosport.
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