Hemel Hempstead — Cheltenham

Back into the hills today as the race heads to Cheltenham via the Cotswolds. Andy Hawes: “The race ramps up a bit here with one of just two cross-county stages: the route taking us from Hertfordshire, through Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, to the finish in Gloucestershire.

“It’s a particularly significant stage for me as the race will be covering some of my home roads that I know so well through Buckinghamshire: Brill Hill, in particular, is a very well-known climb among local cyclists.

“It’s not the only hill of the day either, as we head into the Cotswolds in the back end of the stage.

“It will be beautiful there, too. We have a sprint in Bourton-onthe-Water, which is a famous beauty spot, and a KOM at Bourtonon-the-Hill, another chocolate box Cotswold village. As we head for Cheltenham, the final sprint in Winchcombe will provide the launchpad for the final, tough KOM on Cleeve Hill, from where it is a fast run-in to the finish. If the climber who takes the Cleeve Hill KOM can descend, then there is a chance to stay away.”

PLACES TO WATCH

You’re spoilt for choice today, but the climb of Cleeve Hill is a tough one, and with Andy’s view that it could be decisive, it will be at the heart of the action.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Eisberg sprint in Bourton-on-the-Water will be furious, but the tranquil village is used to chaos as the August Bank Holiday sees an annual football match take place in the River Windrush.