The organisers of the Tour of Britain have revealed the schedule as the popular cycling event is set to stop in Cumbria again.
Stage Six will start in Cumbria on September 10 and finish across the Pennines in Gateshead. The exact start location and the route will be announced in the summer.
Seven new host venues will make their debut on the Tour of Britain route in 2021, race organisers SweetSpot and British Cycling have today announced.
Details of Stages Five, Six and Seven have been added to those previously confirmed for Cornwall, Devon and Aberdeenshire.
“We’re thrilled that the Tour of Britain is scheduled to return to Cumbria in September following the postponement of the 2020 race as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Deborah Earl, Cumbria County Council cabinet member for public health said.
“The Tour of Britain is a fantastic sports event that inspires more people to get out on their own bikes, which is great for everyone’s health and wellbeing.
“We fully support the race organisers’ efforts to work with stakeholders to monitor the public health situation and to meet any requirements in place for outdoor sports events in September to ensure that the Tour of Britain can take place safely.”
The Tour of Britain is scheduled to take place between September 5 and September 12, starting at Penzance in Cornwall and finishing in the Scottish city of Aberdeen as previously announced.
Stage One, September 5
- Start, Penzance*, Cornwall
- Finish, Bodmin*, Cornwall
Stage Two, September 6
- Start, Sherford*, Devon
- Finish, Exeter, Devon
Stage Three, September 7
- Wales
Stage Four, September 8
- Wales
Stage Five, September 9
- Start, South Cheshire
- Finish, Warrington*
Stage Six, September 10
- Start, Cumbria
- Finish, Gateshead
Stage Seven, September 11
- Start, Hawick*, Scottish Borders
- Finish, Edinburgh
Stage Eight, September 12
- Start, Stonehaven*, Aberdeenshire
- Finish, Aberdeen*
(*indicates new venue for the Tour of Britain)
This year’s race is scheduled to take place following an absence of 722 days since the culmination of the 2019 Tour of Britain in Greater Manchester due to the cancellation of the 2020 event because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It will be the first edition of the race to be a part of the UCI ProSeries.
Hugh Roberts, chief executive of race organisers SweetSpot said: “We are excited to reveal more details of this year’s Tour of Britain and what is truly an epic route – one that will take us from the furthest tip of south-west England, through Wales, and eventually finishing at one of the furthest points of north east Scotland.
“We want to make September not just about the world-class racing and superstar riders but also through our campaign, Ride for Heroes, to ensure it is a celebration of ‘all things British’ and make it an occasion for ourselves and British Cycling to thank all those who have worked tirelessly over the past year to ensure our wellbeing and safety.
“The SweetSpot team are determined that not only will there be great racing to enjoy but the Tour of Britain will also be way by which communities across the country can come together and show their appreciation for our COVID heroes over the past 12 months.”
The full routes of all eight stages of the Tour of Britain stages will be announced in the summer including information about the ŠKODA King of the Mountains and intermediate sprints. ITV4 will continue to broadcast live flag-to-flag coverage of every stage, as well as a nightly highlights show.
Event organisers SweetSpot are working closely with British Cycling, the UCI and stakeholders across England, Wales and Scotland in order to monitor the public health situation in the UK and to meet any requirements in place for outdoor sports events in September.
