THE prestigious Tour of Britain cycle race is heading to Somerset and Devon, it has been revealed.

The route for the 2018 OVO Energy Tour of Britain, which takes place between September 2 and 9, has been unveiled and includes the south west for the first time since 2016.

South west stages are:

  • Stage Two: After a year’s absence, the OVO Energy Tour of Britain returns to the region with its 10th visit to Devon in the past 12 years.

The stage, on Monday, September 3, will start in the UK’s newest town – Cranbrook – and finish in Barnstaple, following a hilly finale along the North Devon coast that includes the one-kilometre, 13 per cent average gradient climb of Challacombe, near Woolacombe.

  • Stage Three: Bristol will host the third stage of the race on Tuesday, September 4; a short, sharp out-and-back leg into the north Somerset hills, including Cheddar Gorge.

The finish on the Clifton Down is the same one as used by the race in 2014 and 2016, where Michal Kwiatkowski, Tony Martin and Rohan Dennis have taken victories.

Race director, Mick Bennett, said: “This year we have worked hard to create an innovative and unpredictable route, with several surprises in store throughout the race.

“Several stages have stings in the tail; climbs positioned towards the finale of Stages One, Two and Three will keep the outcome up in the air until the very end."

Somerset County Gazette:

The race will also include a team time trial for the first time, as well as a summit finish on Whinlatter Pass in Cumbria on Stage Six.

The 1,140-kilometre route will take the world’s top riders from Pembrey Country Park on the Carmarthenshire coast in South Wales to the streets of Central London, via Devon, Bristol, Somerset, Warwickshire, Cumbria and Nottinghamshire across eight stages of racing.

“This is our second year sponsoring the Tour of Britain and we’re thrilled to see that Bristol, home to our headquarters, once again features in what looks like an amazing route,” said Chris Houghton, CEO energy retail at OVO Energy.

“This year, we're dedicated to bringing our customers and spectators even closer to the action. Our online interactive maps will help fans and families plan their day by offering sightseeing information, things to do nearby, and tips on where to eat locally - at each stage of the race.

"We’ll also be giving spectators a chance to try out e-bikes as they await the race to begin.”

The race, Britain’s most prestigious international men’s stage race on the UCI calendar, is sponsored by the UK’s largest independent energy company for the second successive year.

The battle for the race leader’s OVO Energy Green Jersey is likely to be focussed around a pair of stage finishes on Whinlatter Pass in Cumbria on Stages Five and Six (Thursday, September 6 and Friday, September 7).

Julie Harrington, chief executive of British Cycling, said: “The OVO Energy Tour of Britain goes from strength to strength as a mainstay of the British sporting year which attracts new fans across the country to our fantastic sport.

"The 2018 route is one which will really capture the imagination of everyone, whether they cheer from the roadside or watch on television.”


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Somerset County Gazette:

Somerset County Gazette:


As well as the challenging route, British fans can also look forward to once again welcoming a star-studded line-up of teams to race on home roads this September, including the likes of UCI World Tour squads BMC Racing, Team Katusha Alpecin and Team Sky.

The first teams to be confirmed to have been invited to the race are: BMC Pro Cycling, Lotto Soudal, Mitchelton Scott, Movistar Team, Quick-Step Floors, Team Dimension Data, Team EF Education First – Drapac, Team Katusha Alpecin, Team Lotto NL Jumbo, Team Sky (all UCI World Tour), Aqua Blue Sport, Direct Energie, Wanty – Groupe Gobert (all UCI Pro Continental) and the Great Britain national team.

The final list of participating teams for the 2018 OVO Energy Tour of Britain will be confirmed in July.