A 'huge boost' to Nottinghamshire's economy is expected as the world-famous Tour of Britain returns to the county this year. The route of the cycling race will begin in West Bridgford and make use of the new £49m Colliery Way bypass before it finishes in Mansfield.
The last time the Tour of Britain was hosted in Nottinghamshire was in 2018, when thousands of people turned out in what was described as "the largest sporting event in the county's history". Competitors, visitors and spectators spent an estimated £3.9m in the county on food, accommodation and shopping.
Millions of people are expected to tune in, from all across the world, when the race commences on September 8 this year. In 2018 the Nottinghamshire stage attracted more than 250,000 spectators.
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Speaking of the race returning to the county Mick Bennett, the Tour of Britain race director, said: “We are pleased to be able to confirm the route for this year’s Nottinghamshire stage and look forward to making returns to both West Bridgford and Mansfield, as well as many familiar locations along the way.
“The support of Nottinghamshire communities along the stage route in both 2017 and 2018 was incredible, so with 150 days to go until the race I hope that today’s news will inspire everyone along the route to get excited and to start making their plans for 8 September.”
Nottinghamshire will be the fifth stage in the race and begin on Central Avenue in West Bridgford. It will pass through several towns and villages in the county, including East Leake, Radcliffe-on-Trent, Calverton, Southwell, Retford and Worksop, as well as take competitors along the recently-opened £49 million Colliery Way.
Colliery Way, formerly the Gedling Access Road, has a dedicated cycling section which opened back in March. The race will then end on Chesterfield Road South in Mansfield.
The 118-mile route will also pass by key county landmarks across Nottinghamshire, including Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Sherwood Forest and Clumber Park. Councillor John Cottee, chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s communities committee, added: “The return of the Tour of Britain is fantastic news and today’s announcement detailing the route heightens the sense of anticipation as we prepare to welcome a world class field of riders and teams to our wonderful county.
“This provides us with a great opportunity to showcase our towns and villages along the route and we also look forward to welcoming the thousands of visitors who will flock here to watch the race and enjoy everything which Nottinghamshire has to offer ultimately providing a huge boost to the local economy.
“Nottinghamshire is known across the globe for its sporting heritage and hosting the race for a third time in five years is recognition that we have what it takes to successfully stage major sporting events.
“As a council, we’re delighted that we’ve been able to bring the Tour of Britain back to Nottinghamshire and I’m looking forward to working with our district and borough council partners to ensure it’s going to be the best stage of the race.”
The Tour of Britain starts in Aberdeen on Sunday 4 September and finishes on the Isle of Wight seven days later. In 2018 Ian Stannard cruised to a solo victory at the Nottinghamshire stage's finish line as thousands of people gathered outside the Mansfield Civic Centre on Chesterfield Road.
After the race was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic it will return and feature the world’s top teams and riders, alongside the best British-based cyclists, with a field comprising of Tour de France winners, Olympians and world champions. Nineteen teams and 114 riders are currently scheduled to take part in the race – including Mansfield’s Ross Lamb and Ollie Peckover, of Ruddington, who compete for the Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling team.
Andy Abrahams, the executive mayor of Mansfield, said: “We’re looking forward to giving the tour the warmest of Mansfield welcomes again.”
