Tour of Britain returns to Cumbria and southern Scotland
It is the second year that Cumbria and the south of Scotland has been chosen for one of Britain’s top sporting events.
Some of the sport’s biggest names will be competing in this year’s OVO Energy Tour of Britain and the border regions are once again in line for a potential multi-million pound economic boost from hosting the race.
Last year Cumbria received an £11m economic benefit from hosting two full stages of the tour.
Stage one: Glasgow to Kirkcudbright (201.5km), Saturday 7 September
Stage one will take the race from Glasgow city centre to Kirkcudbright in Dumfries & Galloway, with the region hosting the OVO Energy Tour of Britain for the 10th time. At 201 kilometres long, the opening day will be the longest of the 2019 race.
Stage two: The Scottish Borders stage (166.5km), Sunday 8 September
Stage three: Berwick-upon-Tweed to Newcastle-upon-Tyne (182.2km), Monday 9 September
Two stages then take place in England’s North East, the first of which is a North of Tyne stage from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Newcastle-upon-Tyne on Monday 9 September.
Stage four: Gateshead to Kendal (171.5km), Tuesday 10 September
For the first time in modern race history, Scotland hosts the opening pair of stages, with day two taking place entirely within the Scottish Borders. The stage will start and finish on the cobbled Market Square in Kelso, scene of Caleb Ewan’s victory on the opening day of the 2017 tour.
The race will finish on the challenging climb up Beast Banks in Kendal, where 10,000 spectators congregated when the town last hosted the race in 2016.
One of the key aims of hosting the Tour will be to encourage more people to get on their bikes and take up cycling.
Last year up to 61% of people who watched the Tour of Britain in Cumbria and the south of Scotland said they were inspired to cycle more often.
Tour of Britain: Cyclists race through Cumbria for a second day