Christopher BarrettGreater Manchester is to host the start of the UK’s biggest professional cycle race on 3 September next year.
The Tour of Britain will return to Greater Manchester for the first time since 2019, when Mathieu van der Poel won the final stage of the race on Deansgate in the city centre. The city also hosted the first stage of the modern Tour of Britain back in 2004.
Manchester City Council’s executive member for skills, employment and leisure John Hacking said active travel is a key element of the city’s commitment to becoming a zero carbon city by 2038: “Events like the Tour of Britain that create a genuine buzz about cycling and inspire people to get their bike out and reconsider the car as their mode of transport
“This year alone we have made significant investment into cycling facilities across the city, from the major refurbishment of the National Cycling Centre in east Manchester to the new Cycling Hub in Wythenshawe Park, we are committed to encouraging our residents to jump on their bikes.”
Race organiser SweetSpot said it would organise a weekend of cycling events and activities in and around the city, building up to the start of the race in central Manchester.
The announcement follows the news that the final stage of the 2023 Tour will take place in Wales, on 10 September, as part of a long-term agreement between the Welsh Government and race organisers SweetSpot.