The route for 13th edition of the modern day Tour of Britain was released today, with a route that touches on both familiar territory and new grounds. A split stage in Bristol, with a time trial followed by a circuit race, a summit finish on Dartmoor's Haytor, and London's traditional closing circuit race on the 11th September are the obvious standout inclusions. But with stages running through Galloway, the Lake District and Peak District as well as Wales, there are any number of potentially decisive stages.
"We are confident that this year's route for the Tour of Britain will provide the opportunity for eight exciting days of racing and a multitude of opportunities for riders and teams to be aggressive and make the race,' says race directior Mick Bennett. 'We believe that with the combination of longer stages of over 200 kilometres, the tough circuit and time trial in Bristol and the summit finish at Haytor we have not just a great preparation for the World Championships but also a fantastic race that will showcase the British countryside.'
Indeed, the Tour of Britain's position on the calendar has made it somewhat of a prepatory event for riders targeting the World Championships in early October. But regardless of this fact, Bennett insists that the race also 'stands alone on its own right as a race riders will want to win.”
The first stage of eight will begin in Glasgow on the 4th September, hoping to benefit from the legacies of both the Commonwealth Games and National Championships which have been held in the city in recent years. A route through the hills of Galloway will follow before the finish in Castle Douglas.
Stage two from Carlisle to Kendal will include the climbs of Whinlatter Pass and The Struggle before an uphill finish on Beast Banks. Stage three sees the race tackle the 10 kilometre Cat and Fiddle climb in the Peak District; stage four a long slog through mid Wales from Denbigh to the Royal Welsh Showground at Builth Wells.
Stage five also starts in Wales in Aberdare before heading across the border through the Forest of Dean and on to the first Bath stage finish. The summit finish at Haytor, where Simon Yates sprung on to the scene with victory back in 2013, returns to the race as the climactic finish of stage 6, before a split stage in Bristol. A 15km individual time trial around the city precedes a five-lap circuit race on the same course, with both routes including the 9% climb of Bridge Valley Road that should ensure that the standings remain open until these final stages.
The quite spectacular arena of central London will again provide the curtains on the 11th of September, with a circuit that will take in Regent Street, Piccadilly, the Strand, Whitehall and Westminster.
Stage One Sunday 4 September Glasgow to Castle Douglas 168km
Stage Two Monday 5 September Carlisle to Kendal 195km
Stage Three Tuesday 6 September Congleton to Tatton Park, Knutsford 182km
Stage Four Wednesday 7 September Denbigh to Builth Wells 217km
Stage Five Thursday 8 September Aberdare to Bath 205km
Stage Six Friday 9 September Sidmouth to Haytor, Dartmoor 150km
Stage Sevena Saturday 10 September Bristol Stage Individual Time Trial 15km
Stage Seven b Saturday 10 September Bristol Stage Circuit Race 76.5km
Stage Eight Sunday 11 September London Stage presented by TfL 100km
All images and maps are courtesy of Sweetspot.
