Britain's premier road cycling race, attracting the biggest names in the sport, is only 150 days away – and will be making its way through Redcar and Cleveland on Wednesday 7 September.
Stage 4 of the Tour of Britain is expected to attract major crowds, kicking off on Redcar's Esplanade, then all the way along its Coast Road, before turning up through Marske High Street and on towards Saltburn.
The elite peloton, which includes Olympians, World Champions and Tour de France riders, will swing a left down Hilda Place and onto Marine Parade, before cruising past the bandstand, along Glenside and Victoria Terrace. A cut through Marske Mill Lane will take the cyclists to Hob Hill Lane and Four Lane Ends, where they'll be taking a sharp left at the lights down Apple Orchard Bank, up Marske Lane and left onto Skelton High Street.
Sweeping through North Skelton and across the A174, Brotton is the next destination, where the pro riders will travel up through the high street and out towards Carlin How, down Loftus Bank, then through Loftus itself, the village of Easington and along the A174, passing the Redcar and Cleveland boundary at Staithes and heading on towards Whitby.
There is certain to be an incredible atmosphere and an abundance of community activities are planned, including best dressed high streets and land art competitions, designed to encourage as many residents and local businesses to get involved in this major, televised sporting event as possible. Further details on business and community roadshows to give out more information on the event will be released in the coming months.
Councillor Louise Westbury, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Culture, said:
“We are very excited to see the official route through our borough unveiled and for the borough to be welcoming some of the best cyclists in the world. Next, we can get going with important further planning to help us deliver an outstanding experience for both the cyclists themselves and all of our residents and visitors.
“With 150 days to go until the Tour of Britain, and less than a month to go until the Tour Series returns to Guisborough, our area's name is really being put on the map as a first class place to visit and get active in beautiful surroundings, whether that's cycling, running, hiking or other outdoor pursuits."
The full Stage 4 extends from Redcar all the way to Duncombe Park in Helmsley, encompassing the boroughs of Redcar and Cleveland and North Yorkshire. The start will be the first time the borough of Redcar and Cleveland has hosted the Tour of Britain, while the finish marks the race's first return to North Yorkshire in 13 years. The unforgiving final 30 kilometres of this 150 kilometre stage feature the climbs of Carlton Bank (2km long, 9.8% average gradient) and Newgate Bank (2km long, 6% average gradient) before descending into the finish at Duncombe Park, one of Yorkshire's finest historic houses and estates.
Mick Bennett, Tour of Britain race director, said:
“As promised when we unveiled the Tour of Britain's host regions in February, this year's race features a number of surprises, none more so than hill-top finishes to start and end the eight days of world-class competition. Creating a route that encourages aggressive racing and brave tactics from day one will enhance the reputation of the race, leave the one million plus spectators watching on in person for free with long-lasting memories, showcase the stunning beauty of our host venues, and repeatedly entertain a worldwide audience."
Last year's star-studded race was won by Belgian rider Wout Van Aert (Team Jumbo – Visma), with reigning world road race champion Julian Alaphilippe finishing third overall. A roadside crowd of over a million spectators resulted in the Tour of Britain generating £29.96m of net economic benefit for the UK economy, according to research by Frontline.
This year's full Tour of Britain comprises the following stages:
Stage one Sunday 4 September Aberdeen to Glenshee Ski Centre
Stage two Monday 5 September Hawick to Duns
Stage three Tuesday 6 September Durham to Sunderland
Stage four Wednesday 7 September Redcar to Duncombe Park, Helmsley
Stage five Thursday 8 September West Bridgford to Mansfield
Stage six Friday 9 September Tewkesbury to Gloucester
Stage seven Saturday 10 September West Bay to Ferndown
Stage eight Sunday 11 September Ryde to The Needles
While spectators can watch all the action by the roadside for free, race day hospitality packages offer guaranteed prime views of stage starts and finishes, complete with fine dining experiences. Visit Cycling Hospitality Packages for more information.
ITV4 will continue to broadcast live flag-to-flag coverage of every stage, as well as a nightly highlights show, allowing fans in the UK to watch wherever they are. The race will also be shown in over 150 countries worldwide, in part thanks to the event's partnerships with Eurosport and the Global Cycling Network.
You can follow the Tour of Britain on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or via the event's official website at tourofbritain.co.uk.