Tour of Britain cycle race comes to Brighton

Brighton will host a stage finish in the Tour of Britain cycle race this September when Sussex hosts the penultimate leg.

Stage Seven on Saturday 13th September will see the world’s top riders racing through West and East Sussex, and taking on the famous climb of Ditchling Beacon, before the finish on Marine Drive in Brighton.

“We are delighted to be bringing The Tour of Britain to Sussex and Brighton for the first time in the race’s modern history,” said Race Director Mick Bennett.

“While the finish in Brighton is definitely one for the sprinters, the South Downs and Ditchling Beacon in the closing kilometres will pose a real challenge to them, and set up what I am sure will be a fantastic finish on the seafront.”

The stage has been made possible thanks to West Sussex County Council, East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council.

Brighton & Hove City Council’s deputy leader, cyclist and lead councillor for transport Ian Davey said:  “It’s so apt that a stage of the race should come to a city which has seen an explosion of cycling in recent years.  As a city we’re really improving cycling facilities so now I’m hopeful the Tour of Britain will inspire even more people to take up cycling for fitness, recreation and transport.”

Hear Councillor Davey welcoming the race and talking about his hopes that it will boost cycling in Brighton &  Hove here

Having started at Camberley in Surrey Heath, Stage Seven will first cross into West Sussex, passing through the likes of Horsham and Haywards Heath.

Heading through East Sussex Uckfield, Eastbourne and Newhaven will all feature, with several sections on or close to the seafront, before the race crosses back over the South Downs for the climb of Ditchling Beacon.

The stage finish in Brighton will come just over 20-years after the Tour de France finish in the city, and 24-years since the last time a Tour of Britain came to Brighton.

Final route details for Stage Seven will be announced in the Summer, along with details of the leg’s Yodel Direct Sprints and SKODA King of the Mountains climbs.

The 2014 Tour of Britain will begin in Liverpool on Sunday 7th September, finishing eight days later in central London with a double-header final day, featuring an individual time trial and circuit race finishing on Whitehall.

This year’s Tour of Britain will be the first ranked at the 2.HC level following an upgrade during the winter by the UCI, the sport’s governing body.  More information on the 2014 Tour of Britain can be found at www.thetour.co.uk