Details of Scottish stages of Tour of Britain announced
- First overall finish of the Tour of Britain in Scotland since 2008
- Scottish Borders to welcome Tour for the eighth time before 195km test finishing in Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park
- The Tour of Britain to finish on Aberdeen’s Esplanade after 173km final stage from Stonehaven via Cairn o’Mount
Further details of what promises to be a stunning edition of the Tour of Britain in September have today been revealed, including the details of the race’s two Scottish stages that will round out the weeklong Tour.
Rescheduled to 2021 owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 17th edition of the UK’s most prestigious stage race (Sunday September 5-12) will cover more than 1,300km (807miles) in a route that once again includes a pair of stages in Scotland, and a first overall finish in Scotland since 2008.
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s director of events, said: “The Tour of Britain is a key part of EventScotland’s annual portfolio of world-class events and we are delighted to be working in partnership with SweetSpot and local partners including Scottish Borders Council, Edinburgh City Council, Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council, to bring the final two stages of the race to Scotland this year.
“Events play a key role in our communities and our partnership with the Tour of Britain is the ideal platform to showcase the many wonderful regions of Scotland as well as the more than 2,000 miles of National Cycle Network covering the country that visitors can come and enjoy.”
The race will go ahead subject to local conditions and in line with relevant national Covid guidelines and UCI protocols. Organisers SweetSpot are working closely with EventScotland and all the local authorities along the route in Scotland to ensure that the event can take place safely.
For the first time in modern Tour history, the race ends with two stages in Scotland. This year’s overall champion will be crowned in Aberdeen at the end of the most northerly stage ever to feature in the Tour of Britain.
The picturesque harbour town of Stonehaven is the day’s starting point and, by popular demand from local cyclists, the route includes the ŠKODA King of the Mountains climb at Cairn o’Mount (3.35km, 9.5% average). The peloton will briefly head into the Cairngorms National Park, with Ballater marking the most westerly point of the stage, before the run in to the finish line on Aberdeen’s Esplanade begins.
Aberdeenshire Council leader Councillor Andy Kille said: “The route announcement of the final stage of the Tour of Britain is something we have long waited for and feels incredibly significant for our region. Seeing the teams line up in Stonehaven and then taking on some of our spectacular climbs and sprint stretches will be exciting. The eyes of the world will be on us.”
“I am aware that the team are working hard behind the scenes to make sure that this event can go ahead as safely as possible, and I want to reassure our communities that everything is being done to ensure we are delivering this race in line with regulations and safety measures.”
Aberdeen City Council Leader, Councillor Jenny Laing, said: “We welcome today’s announcement, which many people have eagerly been waiting for. We look forward to hosting the Tour of Britain in Aberdeen in September and enjoying the many positive impacts at a regional level for tourism, health and wellbeing.
“This will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase the North-east, one that signals our ambition as a council to build momentum around our post-Covid economic recovery plans. Officers are continuing to work with race organisers, partners and stakeholders to ensure that we take this opportunity to celebrate all that our city region has to offer.”
Chris Foy, chief executive officer of VisitAberdeenshire, said: “We’re proud to welcome some of the best cyclists in the world to the roads of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire as the Tour of Britain event comes to an exciting end. No doubt the spectacular route from Stonehaven to Aberdeen will inspire cyclists watching on television to venture north to take on our iconic climbs and enjoy our renowned hospitality.”
Chair of Nestrans, Councillor Sandra Macdonald, said: “Across the North-east we have a wealth of cycling routes with features that make for dynamic, challenging and breathtaking rides. The Stage 8 route will showcase some of the very best we have to offer as a fantastic destination for cycling. It is great to see the area continuing to develop as a host for competitive cycling. I know that the Tour of Britain will leave a legacy that will inspire and impassion others to take to the pedals.
“Nestrans has an important role in championing cycling as an attractive option for travel. This includes developing and improving routes and facilities, connecting communities, delivering grants, working with schools and businesses and promoting road safety. Our work with partners through our sustainable travel brand, Getabout, focuses on making it easier for people to choose to cycle.”
Russell Borthwick, chief executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “After the extraordinarily tough times the region has weathered in recent months it is fantastic to be looking forward to an event like the Tour of Britain which has the potential to bring substantial economic benefits to the North-east. It is not only businesses along the route that can benefit, the extensive TV coverage will showcase our region to visitors from across the UK and potentially beyond and we would encourage businesses of all kinds to start thinking about how they can make the most of this opportunity.”
Pete Crane, head of visitor services at the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Tour of Britain to the Highlands, and in particular to the Cairngorms National Park. As the UK’s largest national park, there are literally hundreds of great cycling routes for cyclists of all ages and abilities. These include National Cycle Routes 7 and 195 (Deeside Way) and for those looking for a challenge the 90-mile SnowRoads scenic route taking in the highest public road in Britain at the Glenshee Ski Area. Easy to see why Tour of Britain stage is coming to Aberdeenshire to ride this stunning landscape. Large-scale events such as these are a great showcase for the benefits of getting active and exploring all that the Cairngorms National Park has to offer.”
Detailed routes and timetables for the Tour of Britain stages can now be found by visiting tourofbritain.co.uk/stages while more information for spectators for both Scottish stages will be announced in the coming weeks.
Mick Bennett, Tour of Britain race director, said: “This year’s Tour of Britain route is truly spectacular, covering a greater geographical area than we’ve ever done before while also ticking off several things we’ve wanted to do for a long time. Be it visiting Cornwall and Aberdeenshire, hosting stage finishes on the summit of Great Orme and in the shadow of the Angel of the North, reintroducing a team time trial and visiting noteworthy and historic host venues new and old, I have a feeling that this year’s race will be one for the ages. There are still fantastic opportunities for partners to get involved in the event, so why not join us and be a part of what will be an unforgettable week and a fantastic celebration of Britain and cycling!”
Six British teams have already been confirmed for the Tour of Britain, including the Great Britain national team, with the full roster of 18 teams to be confirmed later this month.
With cycling enjoying a boom in the UK, and hundreds of thousands of new and returning cyclists taking to two wheels, partnership opportunities for brands looking to be associated with Britain’s biggest professional cycling race are available. These unrivalled opportunities range from regional level support of individual stages to jersey and title sponsorships. Visit sweetspotgroup.co.uk/sponsorship-opportunities for more information.