Mansfield — Newark-on-Trent

Another fast day is on the cards as the race passes through the former coalfields of Nottinghamshire, taking a circuitous route from Mansfield to Newark-on-Trent to pay respects to the great Tom Simpson. By heading east from Mansfield the route keeps away from the hills to the west in the Peak District, so if you plan to see the start and finish don’t hang around too long. Andy Hawes: “After working hard to find three KOMs yesterday we are down to just one as as we stick to the flatlands.

“On the 50th anniversary of his death the race will also pass the Tom Simpson memorial in Bircotes, which was a conscious decision to honour the former world champ.”

PLACES TO WATCH

Harworth & Bircotes is the place for anyone with a sense of history today. Fifty years since his death on the Mont Ventoux, the Tour of Britain honours the nation’s first road world champion and Tour de France yellow jersey, Tom Simpson, by riding through his hometown. As well as the memorial stone (pictured) designed to complement the one on the Ventoux there is also a small museum dedicated to his achievements housed at Bircotes Social Club that is well worth a visit.

DID YOU KNOW?

The West Gate in today’s start town of Mansfield marks the historic centre of Sherwood Forest. Whether one of the domestic teams can pull off a Robin Hood-style win to take money away from their rich WorldTour brethren we will have to wait and see.