Excitement continues to build as the climactic final stage of the UK’s top cycle race heads to the Isle of Wight on Sunday 11th September.
The eighth stage of the race will be a first for Tour of Britain race organisers – the popular race has never visited Isle of Wight before and the Tour of Britain has never had a hill climb finish. Nick Bull, from tour organisers Sweetspot explains:
“It’s felt like a long time coming. We announced this stage on 4th July in 2020, so between that announcement and race day it’s 799 days, and I think since then, in that two and a bit years, excitement’s been gradually building.
“It’s the hardest stage finish we’ve ever had to any Tour of Britain on the final day. Historically we’ve had what they call ceremonial finishes around London, Manchester and Cardiff which is great because you’re in the main city, you get lots of people coming out but the nature of the city centres in the UK, is that they’re largely flat.
“As a result, it certainly favours what they call a sprint finish, when you see 120 riders getting a gallop into the line together. Whereas anybody that’s walked up to Needles and up by Tennyson Down, they’ll know, that’s a nice little hill and the fact it comes at the end of three and a half hours in the saddle and eight days of hard and intense racing, it’s going to be and an energy sapping sprint for the line and the winner there is going to be extremely deserved!”
Lilley: The pinnacle of my Mayorship
Cllr Michael Lilley is the Mayor of Ryde and Vice-Chair of Isle of Wight Council says he is pleased that Tour of Britain was coming to the Island and starting in Ryde:
“I am so proud because Ryde is the most populated town on the Island, we do have lots of events, we have wonderful beaches. So, to be start of the Tour of Britain, it combines the whole thing of greenness and the Biosphere reserve status of the Island and promoting a renewable transport, [which is] fantastic but it’s also great event coming to the Island.
“I’m really excited. I’ve been Mayor for four years and this is a pinnacle for me.”
Personal connection to the Island
Dan Martin is a recently retired professional cyclist, former Tour de France competitor and Ambassador for the Tour Of Britain. He explains that a personal connection made the final stage on the Isle of Wight all the more important to him and that some of the riders might not be expecting the challenge that faces them:
“With my wife being from the Island, I’m a regular visitor, and I was certainly surprised the first time that I visited.
“I came here with a bike back in 2014 went out training and yeah, the roads are deceivingly difficult, very very challenging especially once you hit the climbs and the narrow roads and the technical nature of the stage, it’s going to lead to a spectacular day of racing.”
Martin: I’m really excited to be able to show off this beautiful Island
Dan says that the pandemic took away his chance to race here as part of a team in the Tour of Britain,
“Originally it was supposed to be last year, so it would have been one of my last races as a professional cyclist which would have been incredible for me because obviously I have such a personal connection to the Island.
“But it’s even better that I’m back here as race ambassador for the stage because I’m really excited to be able to show off this beautiful Island. It’s a massively underestimated cycling destination. I certainly really enjoyed the training here when I had the chance and I think it’s just fantastic.
“The whole world is going to see this the Island’s beauty broadcast on television.”
See Dan Martin riding the final leg of final stage of the Tour of Britain Isle of Wight.
Myles: Let’s get out the bunting and give them a cheer
Will Myles, MD at Visit Isle of Wight says,
“With only a month to go, you can feel the excitement in the air as we come ever closer to the final stage of the Tour of Britain on the Isle of Wight. With the potential of millions of viewers watching the race through the live TV broadcast, it really is an incredible opportunity to show off what we have to offer for visitors here!
“Tour organisers have said that the teams are very excited by the idea of racing here, and I know that Islanders will give them the warm welcome for which the Isle of Wight is famous for – so let’s get out the bunting, gather some friends around and give them a cheer as they race at speed through the Island’s beautiful countryside and along its incredible coastline.
“As one of only seven places in the UK with UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Status and with 50 per cent of the Island is classified as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, those watching the race will be in for a fantastic and inspiring visual treat – let’s make this final stage of Tour of Britain here on the Sunday 11th September, one that will live long in the memories of Islanders, visitors and potential visitors.”
Official charity for the final stage
The official charity for the final stage of the Tour of Britain is Mountbatten.
Matt White, Head of Communications for Mountbatten, says they are grateful for the opportunity to raise the profile of the charity,
“It’s a really great opportunity for us to really showcase our work, both to a local and international audience. For us to be part of this event, gives us a chance to obviously, raise some money. We’re going to produce a commemorative, sunflower with the Tour of Britain and Mountbatten logos on, which is a really special piece that people can buy.
“There’s some activities that are taking place on the race day but also some fundraising stuff going on over the weekend, so it’s a really good opportunity for us to raise awareness of our work but also raise some money towards the services.”
Matt continues,
“It costs around £10 million every year for [Mountbatten] to provide our services, free to everyone. And so literally, every penny does count.
“To be involved in an event like this, we really hope will be a great opportunity for us to raise some money, which is really valuable.”
Land Art competition
On the Isle of Wight, locals are being encouraged to get involved as spectators, to decorate the homes, villages and towns with bunting, gather together to watch the cyclists as they make their way around the Island and give them plenty of encouragement, as well as take part in a ‘land art’ competition – details can be found on the Website.
See News OnTheWight’s Tour of Britain archive for all the stories related to the final stage of the Tour of Britain being held on the Isle of Wight.
News shared by Simon on behalf of Visit Isle of Wight. Ed
