Business groups in Dorset and Gloucestershire have welcomed the announcement the two South West counties will host stages of this year’s Tour of Britain.
The eight host regions of the storied cycle race were announced last week, with riders set for a ‘Grand Depart’ from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire on September 4, before finishing on the Isle of Wight a week later on September 11.
For the first time in the event’s history, which dates back to 1945, Dorset and Gloucestershire will host entire stages of the race.
The 2016 event previously passed through Gloucestershire and competitors rode through Cheltenham on the penultimate day of the 2017 race. The county and neighbouring unitary authority South Gloucestershire, will stage 2022’s entire sixth stage on Friday September 9.
The following day on Saturday September 10 Dorset will make its debut in the modern day version of the competition, hosting the seventh and penultimate stage from start to finish. Dorset previously welcomed the Milk Race – a semi-professional forerunner of the Tour of Britain – on multiple occasions during the 1970s and 1980s.
More details of the stage routes are set to be announced in Spring 2022.
The event’s organisers have said they are anticipating large crowds at this year’s event, with the cycling industry enjoying a “continued boom” in the UK that has seen hundreds of thousands of new and returning cyclists taking up the sport.
Live flag to flag coverage and a nightly highlights show of each stage will be broadcast on ITV4, with the event set to be shown in more than 150 countries worldwide.
A roadside crowd of over one million spectators resulted in last year’s Tour of Britain generating £29.96m of net economic benefit for the UK economy, according to research by Frontline.
Ian Girling, chief executive of Dorset Chamber - which with nearly 700 members is the second largest chamber accredited by the British Chambers of Commerce in the South West - said securing a stage was “a real coup” for the county.
Mr Girling said: “As a cyclist myself, I think this is very exciting. It will be a boost for the local economy at the end of the summer season by attracting riders, their support teams, friends and family as well as spectators from across the county and the UK.
“With the boom in cycling over recent years, Dorset has already become popular with enthusiasts and this will place the county firmly on the sport’s map.
“It’s a chance for Dorset to shine and I look forward to seeing more details in due course to ensure we maximise the opportunities and ensure it goes smoothly as possible.”
David Owen, chief executive of Gloucestershire LEP GFirst added that initial feedback from the business community there had been “incredibly supportive.”
Mr Owen said: “The publicity and coverage will be yet another opportunity to fly the flag for the county and to showcase some of the fantastic businesses in the county, as well as to reaffirm that Gloucestershire is an amazing place to work, rest and play. We look forward to welcoming visitors far and wide to our great county.”
Belgian rider Wout van Aert of Team Jumbo – Visma won last year’s Tour of Britain with Ethan Hayter of INEOS Grenadiers finishing second and reigning UCI World Road Race Champion Julian Alaphilippe in third.
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