London readies for Tour of Britain climax

This year’s Tour of Britain will finish in London this weekend, on Sunday September 18th.

Individual time trials are being reintroduced to London for the first time since 2005 in the morning Stage 8a. In the afternoon cyclists will tackle an 88km Stage 8b, on the iconic 8.8km central London circuit, beginning and ending in Whitehall. 

It’s the eighth time the Tour has come to London and will this year see Tour de France Mark Cavendish, Olympic Gold Medallist Geraint Thomas and reigning World Champ Thor Hushovd race.

Earlier this week a stage of the Tour of Britain was cancelled due to high winds.

“Playing host to great sporting events such as the Tour of Britain shows off London at its very best and having the chance to see top British talent in the running for a medal is icing on the cake," said Boris Johnson, Mayor of London. "I hope this cycling show stopper also inspires Londoners to dust off their bikes and join in with the cycling revolution that has been happening in London so they too can experience the city on two wheels. The Tour of Britain is also a tantalising taste of all we have to look forward to next year when London welcomes the world’s greatest sporting event to our city.”

The Tour’s chief exec Hugh Roberts added: “We are delighted to once again be bringing The Tour of Britain to the streets of central London with the support of Transport for London. This year’s final day of The Tour looks set to be an iconic, and nail biting day, and a great advertisement for cycling in London.”

MD of surface transport at Transport for London Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport at TfL, said:
“Over the last decade, London has seen a dramatic increase in the number of people who have taken up cycling as a mode of transport. Events like The Tour of Britain provide a high profile platform for cycling both as a sport and as an everyday mode of transport. The Tour of Britain is a fantastic demonstration of travelling on two wheels and I am delighted that London gets to host the final stage once again.”

CTC president Jon Snow has given his backing to the Prostate Cancer Charity’s Tour Ride in central London, also taking place on Sunday before the final stage of the pro ToB race. The 20km route will be cyclied to raise funds to fight the most common cancer in men in the UK.