HAWICK EDINBURGH

Another chastening stage. Plenty of climbs, yes, but it’s the nature of the narrow, sinewy Scottish Borders roads that could make this such a highlight of the whole week. “The first 50km today is simply stunning scenery,” beams Hawes. “In fact, the first 150km, up to the summit of the final KOM, Wanside Rig, will highlight this whole area.

“It’s going to be a tough day, even more so if the weather is bad. The roads we’re using aren’t super-wide, so the teams will have to be attentive.

“Straight after the neutralised section, we’re on narrow roads, so a break could go.

If the race leader gets caught out by a contender getting into the break, it’ll be tough to reel them in today. It could be a pivotal stage. But then the riders who know the Tour of Britain know what to expect when they come here. We’re never going to go down a road with a grass strip down the middle. Every road is four riders wide at least, so there’s nothing new this year.”

Though most of the stage traverses glorious, isolated countryside we’re finishing today in Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh – a first for the modern Tour of Britain. Despite over 2000m of climbing, and the potential snake pits that could befall an unsuspecting leader along the way, today’s smart money is on a sprint finish, with the backdrop of Holyrood Palace a magnificent setting for it.

“It’s been a big desire for us to have a stage finish here,” says Tour of Britain PR Manager Nick Bull. “They’re a passionate and knowledgeable crowd, and it’s one that’s going to look spectacular on the television pictures.”