With just five months to go until the final leg of the prestigious Tour of Britain arrives on the Isle of Wight, the full route has now been revealed.
The start of the route was revealed in February as beginning in Ryde, the organisers have been keen to keep the entire route hush hush until all agreements were in place.
Today (Wednesday) Tour of Britain reveal which towns and villages can look forward to 100+ world-class cyclists passing through their roads on Sunday 11th September, as the eyes of the world watch on.
Ryde to the Needles
To the best of our understanding having studied the map the route sets off from Ryde, heading for Bembridge, then around the base of Culver, dropping down into the top of Sandown.
Next through Brading and up along the Brading Down road before turning left along Downend road, through Merstone, turning right at the RSPCA T-junction (Bohemian Corner). Passing through Rookley and left before the skatepark towards Chillerton, then Billingham. The right turn will see the route join what was originally as part of the Isle of Wight TT circuit.
Kingston, Shorwell, Brighstone, Mottistone, following the road up to Shalcombe, where it’s left on The Middle Road. Right at the T-junction after the Apple Farm, through Freshwater. Right up Collwell Road to Yarmouth and out of the Bouldnor Road.
Up to Cowes
A left at Shalfleet Garage will take them along Corf Road, skirting the southern edge of Newtown, through Porchfield and left on to Little Whitehouse Vale. Reading left, the head up through Rew Street, through the wiggling lanes that is Gurnard, past Egypt Point. At the end of Queen’s Road in Cowes, it’s right and right again (by the looks of it) up Baring Road, through Northwood towards Newport.
Right at St Mary’s Hospital, along Forest Road, then left through Gunville, left at Carisbrooke, through Newport and right at Coppins Bridge. Right to Blackwater to lucky-old Rookley (for a second time), Godshill, Sandford, to the southern edges of Shanklin, where it’s right at the lights near Shanklin Theatre.
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Hairpin turns in Ventnor
From there up hill and down dale to Ventnor, where the riders will drop down to the beach, up Bath Road(!), climbing all the way up to the Whitwell road where they’ll turn left, and once at Whitwell, left towards Niton. The long drag up to Blackgang and along the Military Road (let’s hope they don’t have to battle a headwind) to Freshwater Bay.
Not long to the finish now, through the narrow roads, along Moons hill towards The Needles, with the climb up to the finish at the Old Battery (can you imagine how great the helicopter shots of that are going to look?)
TL;DR?: Ryde; Bembridge; Sandown; Brading Downs; Brighstone; Totland; Yarmouth; Northwood; Cowes; Newport; Godshill; Shanklin; Ventnor; Blackgang; Freshwater; finish at The Needles.
Jones-Evans: Let’s make the most of this event to show how fabulous the Island is
Cllr Julie Jones-Evans, Cabinet member for regeneration and business development, said,
“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!”
Bennett: IW will become a go-to destination for cyclists of all ages and abilities
Mick Bennett, Tour of Britain race director, said,
“I know the Isle of Wight stage is going to be a spectacular and fitting finale to this year’s Tour of Britain.
“Working with our partners on the Island, we’ve designed a route that visits the main towns, shows off its culture and history, and makes sure that the battle to be crowned our 2022 champion goes down to the wire.
“I’m already hearing stories of people booking their trips across the Solent for the stage — I have little doubt that, once race fans have seen how great the Isle of Wight is to ride a bike, it will become a go-to destination for cyclists of all ages and abilities!”
Rolling road closures
As mentioned before, for most of the route a rolling road closure will be in place, meaning roads will only be closed temporarily. The council say this will be usually between 15 and 40 minutes ahead of the race passing through.
As you might expect, street parking restrictions will be introduced along the route for the duration of the race and the council say further detailed information will be made available.
To find out more about the Tour of Britain, visit the official Website.
