Some of the biggest cycling superstars in the world will be racing through Redcar and Cleveland next week - and big crowds are expected.
Excitement is building as cyclists taking part in the Stage 4 of the AJ Bell Tour of Britain prepare to race through Redcar, Marske, Saltburn, Skelton, Brotton, Carlin How, Loftus and Easington on Wednesday 7 September.
The event attracts global cycling superstars including Tour de France winners, Olympic gold medallists and world champions, with each stage being shown across the world via live TV coverage and highlights on ITV4 and Eurosport bringing international attention to the borough.
And local heroes, the cycling Tanfield brothers of Great Ayton, are expected to win the support of the crowds on their home turf.
Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Culture, Cllr Louise Westbury, said: “This is hugely exciting for our borough. People tuning in on television from around the world will see just how beautiful our area is and we’re hoping people from across the borough and region will come down to see the superstars in action and enjoy our borough’s attractions at the same time.”
The race starts from Redcar’s Esplanade at 11.30am and the cyclists will race on to Whitby (find out more here (https://www.tourofbritain.co.uk/stages/stage-four/)
Alongside this first-class, free-to-watch sporting event, a host of community activities and planned entertainment will also be on offer; details of the latter will be available on our Facebook page at the weekend.
To get involved and catch the high-speed action coming through our towns and villages, the current projected timings are as follows. Please note, these are a guide only and the race could progress slower or quicker than expected, therefore spectators are advised to arrive early:
11:30 – Start from REDCAR Esplanade
11:45 – Start proper along Coast Road
11:47 – MARSKE High Street
11:49 – Marske roundabout
11:52 – SALTBURN – Hilda Place
11:54 - Glenside
11:56 – Guisborough Road
11:59 – Apple Orchard Bank
12:01 – SKELTON High Street
12:03/4 – New and North Skelton
12:07 – BROTTON High Street
12:09 – CARLIN HOW
12:11 – LOFTUS Bank
12:16 - EASINGTON
Road closures and parking restrictions
The race will involve riders cycling along in a peloton - essentially a bubble of cyclists with police and moto-marshal motorcycles at the front and back.
For the safety of competitors, a rolling road closure will be implemented and managed by Community Traffic Management and moto-marshals, under the control of the police.
The rolling closure will mean traffic will be stopped for around 25 minutes to allow the ‘bubble’ to pass through safely. Inevitably, this will cause some disruption to those travelling during this time; however, both the traffic management company staff and police will aim to get traffic moving as soon as it is safe to do so.
During certain points in the race, cyclists expect to hit speeds of around 50mph. For this reason, the race route must be kept clear of parked vehicles. The roads used on the route will be covered by a 'Clearway Order' issued by the Highways Department and it is requested that residents and visitors park their vehicles off the race route roads on the day of the race, between the hours of 9am – 3pm. Affected residents are being contacted directly by post.
To accommodate the start, Redcar Esplanade will be closed to all traffic from 4am – 3pm, with car parking suspended from 12:01am, on Wednesday 7 Sept. Residents and visitors are asked to use alternative car parking facilities signed around the town centre.
Some do's and don't's
For everyone’s safety and to assist your enjoyment of the event, there are some do’s and don’ts that spectators are requested to follow:
- Do visit https://www.tourofbritain.co.uk/ for up-to-date information and projected race timings
- Do remember the race progresses at a fast pace
- Do plan your journey in advance - some bus services may be suspended or delayed so it is recommended you check with your travel operator prior to making your journey
- Do listen to the marshals; their advice is for your safety
- Do get involved: find out what is happening in your local area, invite your friends and family round, decorate your house/street/shop window or high street
- Do support local businesses
- Do grab a safe spectator spot and arrive early. If you can’t get to a start/finish location, why not find out where your nearest sprint points or steep climbs are?
Please
- Do not let dogs off leads at any point
- Do not park on the roadside on the race route; find a safe off-the-road position
- Do not stand in the road, even to get a photo; riders can approach at up to 50mph
- Do not allow children to wander off; keep a watchful eye on them so that they can see the riders coming, with you
- Do not cross the road once the lead car has passed; the race will be coming soon - at speed!
If you have any queries about the event, or how roads/public transport will be affected, you can email TOB@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk