Tour of Britain heading to region
THIS year’s Tour of Britain cycling race will include a stage that finishes in Gateshead.
The town will feature in Britain’s biggest professional cycling race for a fourth year but 2021 will be the first time it has hosted a finishing line since 2009.
The stage will start in Penrith, Cumbria, on Friday, September 10, and head towards Gateshead. The exact finishing location will be announced in the summer.
Stage four of the 2019 tour started in Gateshead and finished in Kendal. The route took cyclists past the Angel of the North.
Councillor Angela Douglas, Gateshead Council’s cabinet member for culture, sport and leisure, said:
“Gateshead has a strong reputation for hosting major international sporting events and we are thrilled to welcome the return of this premier cycling event.
“It was fantastic to see thousands of residents and schoolchildren line the streets to show their support in 2019.
“Gateshead’s iconic Angel of the North and our beautiful countryside will once again provide the riders and spectators with a spectacular backdrop to this stage of the race.
“Events of a national scale like the Tour of Britain help inspire spectators of all ages as well as providing a welcome boost to the local economy.
“It is also a fitting way to celebrate a great sporting weekend as it coincides with the start of the weekend celebration of the Great North Run.”
The Tour of Britain is scheduled to take place between Sunday, September 5, and Sunday, September 12, 2021, starting at Penzance in Cornwall and finishing in the Scottish city of Aberdeen.
ITV4 will broadcast coverage of the tour.
Hugh Roberts the chief executive of race organisers SweetSpot, said: “We are excited to reveal more details of this year’s Tour of Britain and what is truly an epic route – one that will take us from the furthest tip of south west England, through Wales, and eventually finishing at one of the furthest points of north east Scotland.
“We want to make September not just about the world-class racing and superstar riders but also through our campaign, Ride for Heroes, to ensure it is a celebration of ‘all things British’ and make it an occasion for ourselves and British Cycling to thank all those who have worked tirelessly over the past year to ensure our wellbeing and safety. “The SweetSpot team are determined that not only will there be great racing to enjoy but the Tour of Britain will also be a way by which communities across the country can come together and show their appreciation for our Covid heroes over the past 12 months.”
British Cycling’s head of sport and major events, Jonathan Day, said: “Though the Tour of Britain as we know and love it today has evolved since its reincarnation in 2004, the foundations of the race have remained true – challenging and exciting routes, a peloton brimming with the world’s best teams and riders, and brilliant crowds.
“We pride ourselves on the Tour of Britain being the biggest and most prestigious cycle race in the UK.
“As we look ahead to its return after postponement in 2020 we’re sure that the riders on show – who will be going shoulder to shoulder from Cornwall to Aberdeen over eight days – will make this latest edition one of the most spectacular yet.”
This year’s race will be the first since the 2019 Tour of Britain due to the cancellation of the 2020 event because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Angel of the North will once again provide the riders and spectators with a spectacular backdrop Angela Douglas