> First ever summit finish for the modern Tour of Britain on Stage Six in Devon
> Longest ever individual time trial at Knowsley Safari Park on Stage Three
> Central London finish with iconic circuit on Sunday 22nd September
The Tour of Britain, the UK’s biggest cycle race, will celebrate its tenth anniversary in style, with the hardest ever route including the first ever summit finish for a stage and the race’s longest ever individual time trial.
The race will get underway from the Peebles in the Scottish Borders on Sunday 15th September and visit the Lake District and Snowdonia in North Wales for the first time, before ending in the heart of London on Sunday 22nd September with a ten lap circuit race finishing on Whitehall, London.
Headlining the features will be the finish at Haytor on Dartmoor in Devon on Stage Six, which will bring the drama of a summit finish to Britain’s biggest professional cycle race for the first time ever, as well as a 10-mile individual time trial based around Knowsley Safari Park on Merseyside on day three.
Challenges for the world’s top riders will be present throughout, with Stage Two seeing The Tour’s longest ever leg, at 225-kilometres through the heart of Cumbria and the Lake District, with a tricky uphill finish in Kendal, whilst Stage Five through Wales includes two ascents of Caerphilly Mountain towards the end of a gruelling route.
The Tour will also visit Dumfries & Galloway, Stoke-on-Trent and Surrey during the eight stage event.
“This year’s Tour will be an exciting and dynamic route, building on the success of last year’s race and celebrating what has been an incredible ten years of growth for The Tour of Britain and cycling in the UK,” said Hugh Roberts, Chief Executive of SweetSpot Group, the organisers and promoters of The Tour of Britain.
“I would also like to welcome the return of IG Group as Partners of the Race. I am sure in 2013 whoever wears the race leader’s IG Gold Jersey will definitely have earned the honour.”
The Tour of Britain was revived by SweetSpot Group in 2004, with Jonathan Tiernan Locke becoming the first British winner in the modern race’s history last year.
“This will definitely be the most challenging Tour of Britain yet,” said Race Director Mick Bennett.
“We have several unique features and are very excited about the inclusion of our first ever summit finish. Our longest ever time trial balances the course and will ensure that for spectators at the roadside and at home on television The Tour of Britain is a thrilling battle throughout.”
For full details of the route and individual stages, please visit www.thetour.co.uk and click on ‘The Tour of Britain’.