Bristol to host Tour of Britain stage

Some of the world’s best cycling stars are set to pedal through the streets of Bristol this September, when the city hosts the penultimate stage of the Tour of Britain 2016.

Bristol will host the penultimate stage of Tour of Britain, seeing the world’s best riders take to the city.

Bristol is set to host the penultimate stage of the Tour of Britain on Saturday 10 September 2016, when the premier road cycling event takes to the city.

Described by organisers as the UK’s ‘biggest professional cycle race’ and ‘largest free-to-spectate live sporting event’, the Tour of Britain will see riders race across the country, from Glasgow to London, for eight days – with competitors including the likes of Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish.

The world’s top riders will be putting their best foot forward in a double-stage in the city, with an individual time trial against the clock in the morning, before a circuit race on a 15.3-kilometre circuit in the afternoon.

Giving Bristol’s cycling fans a spectacular double treat, stage 7a will see riders tackle a timed one-lap from the start/finish line on Bristol Downs, crossing the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge, passing Ashton Court Estate and racing back through Bristol’s Harbourside before the climb up Bridge Valley Road.

While the second part of the racing in Stage 7b will be a five-lap circuit race, using the same circuit as proposed for the time trial and featuring multiple ascents of the 600-metre climb of Bridge Valley Road.

Colin Sexstone, chair of the Bristol Partnership for Sport and Active Recreation said: ‘We are thrilled that this year’s race will take in the sights, landmarks and contours of our city. There will quite literally be lots of ups-and-downs, and I am sure that Bristol will deliver the most thrilling and high-octane stage of this year’s Tour of Britain.’

George Ferguson, mayor of Bristol also added: ‘The Tour’s route will showcase the glories of Bristol and demonstrate why we have an increasing reputation as a ‘cycling city’.

‘Since being the UK’s first Cycling City, bikes have been on the rise here… With another exciting program of events this summer I am confident that more Bristolians will discover the joy of cycling and interest will only continue to grow.’