Cumbria will host stage of the Tour of Britain for third consecutive year

The UK's biggest road cycling race will return to Cumbria for the third consecutive year.

It will be the 10th time the county has hosted the OVO Energy Tour of Britain where some of the sport’s biggest names will go head to head.

Cumbria will once again offer challenging climbs and impressive views for a stage of the Tour in September.

The peloton passes through Brough, Cumbria. Credit: PA

Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for Transport, said: “We are thrilled to announce the Tour of Britain will be returning to Cumbria in 2020.

"We know that hosting the race helps boost the local economy, inspires more people to take up cycling and is a great opportunity to showcase Cumbria’s magnificent landscape to a worldwide audience.

"We’re looking forward to another memorable day of top class racing later this year.”

In 2018 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.

Cllr David Southward, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for Economic Development, added: “The Tour of Britain is one of the country’s biggest sporting events attracting many thousands of spectators and is watched by a TV audience of millions worldwide.

"The county council is delighted that some of the world’s top professional cyclists will be racing through Cumbria once again in 2020.

“Bringing the Tour to Cumbria provides a real boost to the county’s economy, for example we saw an economic benefit of more than £1.5m from hosting one of the 2019 race stages.”

It has yet to be announced whether southern Scotland will play a part in the internationally renowned event.

Riders will be gearing up for the 2020 Tour of Britain which runs from Sunday, 6 September until Sunday, 13 September.