There are just 6 weeks to go until the Isle of Wight will host the final stage of the UK’s most prestigious cycle race, the Tour of Britain. It will be the first time the iconic race would have been hosted on the Island and one of the largest sporting events to ever be held here.
The Tour of Britain starts in Aberdeenshire on Sunday 4th September and over 8 days, 19 of the world’s top teams and 100 pro riders, will work their way down, arriving in Ryde on Sunday 11th September.
Stage 8, the final leg of the race, spans 150km and passes through a wide range of the Island’s towns and villages. After starting in Ryde – between 11:00-12:00 – the race will pass through the main towns and villages of Bembridge, Sandown, Rookley, Shorwell, Mottistone, Freshwater, Yarmouth, Shalfleet, Cowes, Newport, Godshill, Shanklin, Ventnor, Niton to finish at the National Trust’s The Needles Battery around 15:30.
The race will be televised live on ITV4 in the UK and shown in over 150 countries worldwide, via Eurosport and the Global Cycling Network. A 1-hour highlights show will also be broadcast each evening.
On the day and in the build-up to the race, Islanders are being encouraged to get involved and help to host an Island-wide festival of cycling, sport, and celebration! There are plenty of ways to show support; from reusing union jack bunting from the Jubilee celebrations or Isle of Wight Day to dressing your property, shop fronts and windows. Or dig out that old bike, decorate it, hang it high – or leave it down low – just make it stand out for the cameras.
Mountbatten will be the official charity of the final stage of this year’s Tour of Britain, working alongside the tour organisers to maximise opportunities to promote its brand and services over the race weekend and raise the profile of the charity which relies heavily on public support to deliver it’s services.
Mountbatten joins GKN Aerospace join Wightlink, Red Funnel and South Western Railways as partners of the Tour of Britain Isle of Wight stage, alongside Isle of Wight Council and Visit Isle of Wight.
Oh wow, im so……. underwhelmed.
They will have gone round the island in 2 minutes.
Superb this is going to be absolutely amazing to watch!!! Said no one!!
just think 7 weeks to go then it will all be over can’t wait
wow its so exciting the best event on the island!!! Not!
Chaos on the roads. Thanks.
I AIN’T GOT THE SLIGHTEST INTREST IN CYCLING.
BUT, GOOD LUCK TO ALL INVOLVED.
NOTHING BUT MOANERS ON THIS ISLAND AT THE MOMENT.
Why not go and live with ex islander in his world of Utopia ?
Diamond races anyone??
Fortunately I have a top secret escape plan in place for that day.
Yawn, god this is getting a bit boring now, oh will the council be charging for loss of parking revenue. After all if they can charge Ventnor carnival money for loss of revenue so can this lot. Maybe the council will be to scared to as the sea of lycra will descend on county hall and start shouting like a load of hooray henrys.