Worcester — Cardi

The final stage takes the riders through the Malvern Hills and into the heart of the Welsh capital for a big finale. Andy Hawes: “This is another cross-county stage and another of the more challenging ones on this route.

“Rolling out of Worcester we will be on roads we know very well, and we’ll use those roads to send the riders straight towards the Malverns, which will be home to some of the most dramatic climbing on the race. The Malvern Hills rise majestically out of the surrounding flatlands, looming over the riders for miles as they approach them.

“The final KOM on the way to Cardiff does provide a potential platform for anyone looking to win the stage in style, but we cross the finish line three times, with two-and-a-half laps of a 7km finishing circuit so it’s highly unlikely.

Anyone disappointed that we’re not finishing in London this year should definitely come to Cardiff because it’s going to be spectacular. The circuit takes us past all the iconic sights of the city – including the Principality Stadium – on very fast roads, so it should set up an amazing finish. I can’t wait to see the race we have there.”

PLACES TO WATCH

The climbing in the Malverns could be interesting, but Cardiff should be the place to be today. A renowned party town, it is sure to close the race in style.

DID YOU KNOW?

The final climb of Celtic Manor takes the race to the golf course where Europe won back the Ryder Cup in 2010 in a tournament plagued by bad weather.