Tendring in Essex will host an individual time trial stage during this year’s OVO Energy Tour of Britain, as the world’s top riders contest the race against the clock during Stage Five on Thursday 7 September.

The 10-mile / 16-kilometre time trial will start and finish in Clacton-on-Sea on an open, coastal course that will be key to the destination of the race leader’s OVO Energy Green Jersey.

It will be the first time that Britain’s premier men’s road cycling event has visited Tendring, with the news building on the success of Tendring having hosted stages of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour in 2014 and 2015, when stages of the world leading women’s race finished in Clacton and started in Harwich.

Tanya Ferguson, Tendring District Council’s Cabinet Member for Tourism and Culture, said it will be a huge boost for the area.

“We had a fantastic taste of the massive interest generated by hosting the Women’s Tour in both 2014 and 2015,” she said. “Spectators turned up along the route and supported the race; we had excellent media coverage around the world and it generated significant revenue for our District.

“We are eagerly anticipating the OVO Energy Tour of Britain in September and know it will be a superb spectacle which will be well supported. It is a real coup for Tendring to be involved in such a premier sporting event.”

Stage Five will be the longest individual time trial in the OVO Energy Tour of Britain since 2013, when Sir Bradley Wiggins took victory at Knowsley Safari Park.  In 2016 World Time Trial Champion Tony Martin won the individual time trial in the race, which took place in Bristol.

Tony Martin Time Trial Bristol

Mick Bennett, Race Director of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain, said: “We are delighted to be resuming our successful partnership with Tendring District Council from The Women’s Tour to put on such a unique stage of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain.

“The individual time trial will be a key stage for anyone hoping to win the OVO Energy Green Jersey. While it should suit the expert time trialists, the length will not completely rule out a sprinter who can time trial.  All in all it will be an intriguing battle and one we are very much looking forward to.”

OVO Energy, the UK’s top rated independent energy supplier was recently announced as the title sponsor of the Tour of Britain.

The OVO Energy Tour of Britain is British Cycling’s premier road cycling event, giving cycling fans the opportunity to see the world’s best teams and riders competing on their door step, taking place between Sunday 3 and Sunday 10 September 2017.