The cream of world-class cycling will descend on Scotland this autumn as the Tour of Britain returns with a revamped and tougher route, writes SUSAN SWARBRICK
Scottish soil welcomed stage three in 2012, but will once again find itself centre stage as host to the “grand depart” of the 10th anniversary edition of Britain’s biggest professional cycle race on September 15.
The opening stage of the eight-day tour gets under way in Peebles before heading south west to finish with a one lap circuit at Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfriesshire.
Key towns and villages along the 201km (124 mile) route will include Innerleithen, Selkirk, Hawick, Gretna, Annan and Dumfries.
This will be the fifth time in the last six years that either the Scottish Borders or Dumfries and Galloway has played a role in the Tour. Drumlanrig Castle last featured in 2008 when the race departed from Glasgow Green.
As in previous years it looks likely to be a route that will favour the sprinters: former world champion Mark Cavendish won the Scottish stage in both 2011 and 2012.
The finish may seem familiar to some among the pro-cycling peloton. In 2008, Sky’s Norwegian star Edvald Boasson Hagen, then with Team Columbia, took the top spot pipping Australian Matt Goss and South Africa’s Daryl Impey, now both Orica-GreenEDGE.
The Tour will then depart from Carlisle to Kendal on stage two, before finishing with a 10-lap circuit in London on September 22.
Last year’s race attracted a crop of global talent including Cavendish, Tour de France and Olympic champion Bradley Wiggins, double Giro d’Italia winner Ivan Basso and 2008 Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez.
Among the teams expected to take part in 2013 is Scottish-German outfit, NetApp Endura, which last year saw Jonathan Tiernan-Locke claim overall victory.
The Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway will play host to a weekend of cycling with amateur riders getting the opportunity to tackle the testing route the previous day in the Tour Ride on September 14.
Hugh Roberts, chief executive of SweetSpot Group, organisers and promoters of the Tour of Britain, said: “Peebles embraced the Tour of Britain on our last visit there for the Grand Depart in 2011 so we are delighted to be returning, and know that Scotland will be the perfect stage for our tenth Grand Depart.
“Stage one will be a tough but scenic opening to this year’s Tour and we hope that cycling fans from all over Britain will join us to make the Grand Depart truly memorable.”
Paul Bush OBE, chief operating officer for EventScotland said: “This will be the eighth Tour of Britain we have supported since 2005, and the event has certainly gone from strength to strength each year. Scotland is the perfect stage for events and the Tour of Britain truly showcases our stunning landscapes, which is even more fitting in 2013, the year of natural Scotland.
“From the mass participation Tour Ride to the opening stage from Peebles to Drumlanrig Castle, the Grand Depart weekend in Scotland will be a great celebration of all things cycling.”
Last year’s Tour of Britain saw thousands line the route and councils in the area said they looked forward to the event once again providing a showcase as well as generating income for the local economy.
Stuart Bell, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Economic Development said: “I am delighted that the Grand Depart of this year’s Tour of Britain is returning to the Scottish Borders in 2013. It is a true reflection of the quality of the area as a cycling destination.
“The event will have a significant economic impact on the area and we will be working closely with The Tour, EventScotland and businesses to ensure that opportunities to generate more spend in the local economy are maximised, attracting visitors and ensuring they have an experience they will always remember.
“The Council has been supporting the development of cycling tourism and this year’s route will showcase exactly why cyclists recognise the Borders as a top UK cycling destination.”
Councillor Finlay Carson, Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Events Champion said: “The dramatic pink sandstone backdrop of Drumlanrig Castle will be a unique and beautiful location for visitors to day one of the 2013 Tour of Britain.
“The Tour is one of our region’s most outstanding live sports events and has built up a huge following since The Tour first visited in 2005. I am delighted Dumfries and Galloway Council is once again part funding and supporting The Tour of Britain in Scotland.”
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