Tour of Britain in the North East: your guide to the race

  • Tyne Tees
Credit: PA

Northumberland is once again hosting an entire stage of the prestigious Tour of Britain cycle race.

Stage Two travels through the county on September 4, with an exciting start in the heart of Kielder and a dramatic finish on the coast at Blyth.

The world's elite cyclists, including Mark Cavendish, will compete in the race, which is one of the most prestigious dates on the cycling calendar.

In total, the riders will compete over eight days across the UK.

Who is taking part in the race?

In 2015 the Tour of Britain swept through Northumberland creating a wave of excitement as some of the world’s top cyclists, including Sir Bradley Wiggins cycled through our region.

This year, 120 of the world’s top cyclists will be racing. Steve Cummings, last year's winner, is returning to defend his title.

Some notable riders include:

Geraint Thomas of Team Sky is competing in the Tour of Britain Credit: YORICK JANSENS/Belga/PA Images

  • Geraint Thomas: the 30-year-old rides for Team Sky. He is a veteran of seven Tour de France and countless Classics. In 2016 he picked up the biggest win of his career at Paris-Nice.

  • James Gullen: is a bronze medallist at the National Time Trial Championships and it will be the first time the 27-year old has been selected to ride the prestigious race.

  • Mark Cavendish: will lead Team Dimension Data in the OVO Energy Tour of Britain as the ten-time stage winner in the race makes his comeback from injury after fracturing his scapula on Stage Four of the Tour de France.

The Tour of Britain reaches Blyth during the last time the race came to the region Credit: Richard Sellers/PA Archive/PA Images

What are the key timings across the day?

  • 10.15am: The race starts on Kielder Dam

  • 11:45am: Riders approach Rothbury followed by King of the Mountain hill climbs up Debdon Bank and Corby Crag

  • 12:10pm: Riders approach Alnwick

  • 1pm: Riders approach Belford and head to Bamburgh

  • 1.20pm: Sprint through Seahouses

  • 2pm: Sprint through Warkworth

  • 2.40pm: Arrive in Morpeth

  • 3pm: Riders pass through Blyth for the first time

  • 3:10pm: Sprint through Seaton Sluice

  • 3:30pm: Riders race back through Blyth for the FINISH

  • 3.45pm: Presentation to pro-riders in Blyth Market Square

Stage 2 starts in Kielder before finishing in Blyth Credit: Tour of Britain

Can I get involved in the race?

The answer is yes!

Northumberland County Council is urging the public, local community groups and businesses to help decorate the route in red and yellow, which are the colours of the Northumberland flag.

Local businesses are encouraged to dress their shop windows with red and yellow decorations and to display any old bicycles to get in the spirit of the event.