Full reaction to the 2022 Tour of Britain stage reveal, which took place on Wednesday 6 April.

Hill-top finishes at Glenshee Ski Centre in Aberdeenshire and The Needles on the Isle of Wight will bookend the Tour of Britain, which returns for what promises to be a groundbreaking 18th modern edition in September.

Click here for full stage details.

STAGES ONE AND TWO
SCOTLAND
Sunday 4 and Monday 5 September

Paul Bush OBE | Director of Events | VisitScotland

“EventScotland is delighted to once again be working in partnerships with Aberdeen City Council, and Aberdeenshire Council and the Scottish Borders Council to bring the opening two stages of the Tour of Britain to Scotland in 2022, including a first-time finish in Duns.

“Scotland is the perfect stage for the Tour of Britain with great stretches of open roads and challenging climbs ideal for Britain’s leading men’s professional cycling race and is part of an exciting calendar of cycling events taking place this year as we build towards the first-ever UCI Cycling World Championships in 2023.”

STAGE ONE
ABERDEEN TO GLENSHEE SKI CENTRE
Sunday 4 September

Jim Savege | Chief Executive | Aberdeenshire County Council

“We are delighted to be hosting the opening stage of the 2022 Tour of Britain alongside Aberdeen City Council. As was clearly demonstrated when we hosted the final stage of last year’s event, there is massive local support for cycling here in the north-east of Scotland, with the excellent TV coverage helping to promote the region to a global audience.

“Not only does hosting the Tour bring visitors to the region and provide a welcome boost for our local economy, it enables us to showcase Aberdeenshire as a wonderful cycling destination. It also provides us with an opportunity to promote cycling as a healthy, fun activity for all ages to enjoy – and from an active travel perspective that’s helping us to look after our local environment.

“We are ready to give these elite riders and their teams another warm north-east welcome in September and trust they will relish the challenging route we once again have in store for them. As a keen cyclist myself, I am convinced the spectacular finish at the Glenshee Ski Centre will be something the likes of which the teams won’t experience anywhere else!”

Angela Scott | Chief executive | Aberdeen City Council

“Last year’s final stage was a huge success and resulted in expenditure of around £3m in the city and Aberdeenshire.  We are delighted to be starting the 2022 race in the city centre – the Grand Départ is a bigger spectacle and we should see even more people attending the event this year.

“The Events365 Plan delivers a number of events in the city and having an international sporting event like the Tour is a big opportunity to boost footfall over that weekend.  Despite the restrictions of Covid-19 in 2021, the event was incredibly well attended.  This year we are planning on a number of supporting activities to celebrate the Tour, welcoming the international teams and riders and showcasing Aberdeen as an events and tourism destination.”

Chris Foy | Chief executive | VisitAberdeenshire

“Hosting the Grand Départ of this prestigious event will enhance the North-east’s profile as one of the country’s emerging cycling destinations.

National TV coverage will turn a spotlight on our majestic landscape from the heart of the Granite city to an iconic climb to the finish at the Glenshee ski station in the spectacular East Cairngorms.

“We look forward to building on the momentum gathered in 2021 as spectators come out in force along the route to cheer on some of the sports’ top names and support local businesses at the same time.”

STAGE TWO
HAWICK TO DUNS
Monday 5 September

Sam Smith | Chief Officer for Economic Development | Scottish Borders

“We are delighted to be hosting the Tour of Britain again this year and have the whole of stage two in the area. Hawick was a fantastic stage start venue last year and it is great that we’ve managed to bring a stage finish to Berwickshire for the first time to showcase the region.”

STAGE THREE
DURHAM TO SUNDERLAND
Tuesday 6 September

Councillor Elizabeth Scott | Cabinet member for economy and partnerships | Durham County Council

“We are absolutely thrilled the third stage of the Tour of Britain cycle race will start in Durham City this year. Equally exciting is the fact the route will showcase our stunning county. This reflects Durham’s shortlisted bid to be UK City of Culture 2025, which aims to secure the prestigious title for the whole county. Sport is a huge part of our culture and is integral to our bid.”

Patrick Melia | Chief Executive | Sunderland City Council

“We’re really excited to be welcoming the Tour of Britain to Sunderland for the first time this September. It’s a brilliant opportunity to showcase our wonderful city, with the route skirting some of our award-winning parks and offering glimpses of the magnificent Penshaw Monument as it passes through our communities.

“What is equally thrilling is the prospect of a sprint finish, with more than 100 of the world’s best riders racing through our city centre towards the finishing line at City Hall, at the heart of Riverside Sunderland. I think it will be a truly amazing spectacle which people will flock to see.

“I’d also like to think the tour will inspire more people to take to their bikes as part of our exciting programme of swim, bike, run activities, and take advantage of our fabulous green spaces and fantastic coastline to enjoy all the physical and mental health benefits that come from being physically active.”

STAGE FOUR
REDCAR TO DUNCOMBE PARK, HELMSLEY
Wednesday 7 September

Councillor Louise Westbury | Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Culture | Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council

“We are very excited to see the official route through our borough unveiled and for the borough to be welcoming some of the best cyclists in the world. Next, we can get going with important further planning to help us deliver an outstanding experience for both the cyclists themselves and all of our residents and visitors.

“With 150 days to go until the Tour of Britain, and less than a month to go until the Tour Series returns to Guisborough, our area’s name is really being put on the map as a first class place to visit and get active in beautiful surroundings, whether that’s cycling, running, hiking or other outdoor pursuits.”

Charlie Tanfield | Rider | Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling

“As local riders it’ll be good to race through our local villages and see some friends and family on the route cheering us on. It’ll be massive for the area to put on a big race like this so it’s very exciting.

“It’s a hilly stage so one for the climbers but we will see what we can do. It’ll be a tough one for us to tackle. I don’t think there’s any better places in the UK for the race. It’s really quiet with beautiful scenery and good roads.”

Harry Tanfield | Rider | Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling

“We are very excited for the Tour of Britain to be coming to our local roads in North Yorkshire. We have been training abroad in the likes of Spain but, as summer approaches, why would you go anywhere else? Yorkshire is a great place to train and race as we have some of the best roads in the country, with both hilly and flat stretches.”

Karl Battersby | Corporate Director for Business and Environmental Services | North Yorkshire County Council

“We are delighted to welcome the Tour of Britain which will get national and international TV coverage for North Yorkshire on some of the county’s most picturesque roads. The riders will certainly face some testing final climbs before the finish at Duncombe Park; one of Yorkshire’s finest historic houses and estates.

“North Yorkshire’s communities have embraced major cycling events over the years, including the Tour de France Grand Départ and the Tour de Yorkshire and UCI Road World Championships. Once again we anticipate large crowds and we will be supporting everybody planning to welcome and celebrate the arrival of the race.”

James Hare | Estate Manager | Duncombe Park

“The Estate is excited to be hosting a finish for a stage of the Tour of Britain 2022. We are anticipating a really exciting day with lots of spectators to watch the finish of this highly competitive and challenging stage of the race.

“As well as being home to the National Birds of Prey Centre, Duncombe Park adjoins the beautiful market town of Helmsley, which boasts shops, cafes, pubs hotels and attractions.”

STAGE FIVE
WEST BRIDGFORD TO MANSFIELD
Thursday 8 September

Councillor John Cottee | Chairman of Communities Committee | Nottinghamshire County Council

“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.”

Councillor Abby Brennan | Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Communities and Climate Change | Rushcliffe Borough Council

“We’re so pleased that the Tour will be coming back to Rushcliffe and Nottinghamshire, it’s sure to be another wonderful spectacle that our communities and residents can embrace.

“We can’t wait to give it another warm and rapturous reception as it races through so many of our towns and villages.

“We saw with the 2018 race here the incredible welcome Rushcliffe people gave to the riders, and this will be another great celebration that boosts many local businesses and will be a day for all to enjoy.”

Councillor Andrew Abrahams | Executive Mayor | Mansfield District Council

“Mansfield was keen to support Nottinghamshire County Council and district councils to secure the Tour of Britain for a third time, and, the opportunity to host a stage finish once more in our district. With support from the Towns Fund, we will be able to have a festival finale at the Civic Centre in September.

“We’d like to thank the Tour of Britain team for working with us to develop the route and enabling communities in priority neighbourhoods to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity to view elite sport from their doorstep.

“We’re looking forward to giving the tour the warmest of Mansfield welcomes again.”

Mike Robinson | Co-Interim CEO | Mansfield District Council

“Mansfield will no doubt be ready to give the Tour the warmest of welcomes this September. The race will pass by more schools, more villages and more businesses than in previous years, so the community can experience the tour in their neighbourhood.

“We’ll be encouraging everyone to dress their buildings and line the streets to cheer on the riders. It’ll be an electric not to be missed atmosphere once more”.

Mansfield will be seen around the world by millions of viewers on ITV4, Eurosport so this is a great opportunity to raise our profile globally”.

Councillor Andy Burgin | Portfolio Holder for Environment | Mansfield District Council

“As a Warsop Councillor I couldn’t be happier to see the route entering Mansfield via our village this time around. What an opportunity it will be for people living and working in Warsop to experience a global event like, this in their town centre. For some it will be a once in a lifetime experience and something they’ll never forget.

“It’s a pleasure to be launching the Mansfield stage five finish today at The Carrs local nature reserve.”

STAGE SIX
TEWKESBURY TO GLOUCESTER
Friday 9 September

Councillor Mark Hawthorne| Leader | Gloucestershire County Council

“With details of the fantastic route the men’s tour will take through Gloucestershire now revealed, we can all begin making plans for where in the county we’ll go to watch cycling’s most elite race. We are also thrilled that we’ve been able to secure a stage of the Woman’s Tour for Gloucestershire. Although details of the route the woman’s race will take are yet to be announced, we are confident wherever you live in the county, the tour will be coming to a town or village near you. The benefits to the county from having two stages will be significant so I hope everyone is getting excited, I know I am!”

Councillor Toby Savage | Leader | South Gloucestershire Council

“We are delighted that the Tour of Britain will be visiting South Gloucestershire in September for stage six of the race. The Tour presents an excellent way to showcase our beautiful area to its viewers as the cyclists pass through some of our towns, villages and countryside. The event will help bring local communities together as they spectate from their own neighbourhoods and hopefully provide an economic boost to local shops and businesses too.”

STAGE SEVEN
WEST BAY TO FERNDOWN
Saturday 10 September

Councillor Ray Bryan | Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment | Dorset Council

“Dorset Council is excited to be working with Tour of Britain, on what promises to be a brilliant opportunity to showcase what our county has to offer to the world.

“With stage seven of the race stretching from the West to the East of Dorset, we maximise the potential benefits for as many local residents and businesses as possible, and we’re looking to forward to providing a warm welcome to both competitors and spectators later this year.”

STAGE EIGHT
RYDE TO THE NEEDLES
Saturday 11 September

Councillor Julie Jones-Evans | Cabinet member for regeneration and business development | Isle of Wight Council

“We’re so proud to be hosting the final of the country’s most prestigious cycle race event right here on the Isle of Wight.

“Wherever you are on the Island you won’t be far from the route, and hopefully that will mean we have great crowds out to support some of the world’s top professional cyclists.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the stunning landscapes of the Island as a top class cycling and holiday destination, as well as providing a stern test for the riders in what will be a challenging finale.

“The Isle of Wight Council has played a leading role in bringing the Tour of Britain to the Island and we are encouraging local communities to get involved – for example by decorating their town or village to show their support or arranging a special community event.

“It will be particularly exciting for our children and young people to see the cycling elite in the place that they live, and to show off the area to countries who watch around the world. What could be more inspiring for our children than to see the professionals on their own doorstep?

“Let’s make the most of this event to show how fabulous the Island is to the world and have fun at the same time — that’s a win win!”