Tour of Britain returns to the South West

Thousands lined the streets in Bristol in 2014 Credit: ITV 4

After a year's break the tour of Britain is making a welcome return to the region. On September 8th stage 5 will bring cyclists 205km from Abadere in Wales across to Gloucester and then south through Stroud, Dursley & Yate before finishing in Bath.

But it's Bristol where cycling enthusiasts are in for a real treat because on Saturday the 10th there are two races. First in the morning a 15 km time trial.

The time trial will be held on September 10th Credit: ITV News

And there will be little chance for cyclists to rest because in the afternoon competitors will have to brace themselves for a 76 km circuit race.

The circuit race will involve 5 laps of the circuit, totalling more than 76km Credit: ITV News

The distances are shorter than other staged but they will be just as challenging. Both involve repeating the cruel climb up Bridge valley road that we saw in 2014 before finishing on the Downs, in fact the circuit race involves climbing Bridge Valley Road an agonising 5 times!

Taking place over eight days the world’s best cyclists will be racing through the roads of Bristol, Bath, Devon and Gloucestershire on 8th, 9th & 10th September 2016 as Stages 5, 6 & 7 of the Tour visit the region.

Find out more about the Tour of Britain 2016.