Tour of Britain cycle race postponed to 2021 due to Covid-19 but Devon and Cornwall will still host stages

Organisers of this September's Tour of Britain - which was due to visit Cornwall for the first time - have decided to postpone the event until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

A Tour of Britain spokesperson said Covid-19 had made "the planning and organisation of the 2020 race impractical".

They added the decision had been taken, "following detailed consultations with British Cycling, regional stakeholders, sponsors and partners of the race."

The race had been due to start in Cornwall on 6 September 2020 but will now take place a year later. Credit: Tour of Britain

The Tour of Britain is credited with giving a huge economic boost to the places that host it.

Thousands of people line the route of the eight stage race, which usually attracts more than 100 elite riders from all over the world. The first and second stages will take place in Cornwall and Devon and the postponement will mean a major financial blow to both Devon and Cornwall.

Organisers say "people’s health and safety must come first."

Crowds cheer on cyclists during the Devon stage of the 2014 Tour of Britain. Credit: PA

The provisional dates for the 2021 Tour of Britain are 5 – 12 September and will be confirmed in the coming months by cycling's governing body the UCI.