Edinburgh start for Tour of Britain’s opening stage

The Tour of Britain will this year race between the capitals of Scotland and Wales, with organisers unveiling a newlook route linking Edinburgh and Cardiff.

After an opening stage from Edinburgh to Kelso in the borders, the race will head to Northumberland, with the 211km stage from Kielder Water and Forest Park to Blyth the longest of the eight-day race.

North Lincolnshire will host its first stage on day three when the peloton tackle a 172km route from Normanby Hall to Scunthorpe before heading to Nottinghamshire a day later to go between Mansfield and Newark-onTrent.

A day later is a 16km Essex time trial before stage six links Newmarket and Aldeburgh.

The race then heads west with stage seven going between Hemel Hempstead and Cheltenham, before the race concludes with a final 180km stage from Worcester to Cardiff.

“This year’s OVO Energy Tour of Britain route is a race of firsts, with nine new venues welcoming the race plus our first overall start in the city of Edinburgh,” said race director Mick Bennett.

The 2017 Tour will start on Sunday September 3 and finish eight days later.