Bath is expecting a tourism boost from its inclusion for the first time in the Tour of Britain this September.
The city will play host to the event’s 18 cycling teams – plus their entourages, media and race followers – on the sixth day of the eight day race.
The teams, which will boast some of the sport’s top cyclists, will set off on in the morning from Royal Avenue before completing a lap through of city – showcasing many of Bath’s historic sites to a worldwide TV audience.
They will then head east out of the city, before skirting Salisbury Plain on their way to the Chilterns and the stage finish in Hemel Hempstead.
As Bath’s stage is on a Friday, Bath & North East Somerset Council has decided it should be used to launch a weekend of activities.
Cabinet member for neighbourhoods Cllr David Dixon said: “We are honoured to be hosting a start stage here in Bath, which I’m sure many will agree is the most beautiful backdrop to showcase such a prestigious event.
“I know that our communities will be 100% on board in welcoming the riders, teams and spectators to the city which starts a weekend of cycling activities and events across the whole area, building upon the council’s aspirations for ensuring our communities are fit for life, our commitment to the delivery of first-class facilities for sport and recreation; which in turn supports our thriving economy.”
Some 18 of the world’s top professional cycling teams, including the likes of Team Sky, who won the 2013 Tour with Sir Bradley Wiggins, will take part in the Tour, which is televised live in the UK on ITV4 as well as globally.
Race director Mick Bennett said: “Bringing the Tour of Britain to Bath will be a first for the modern era of the race and one that we are very much looking forward to.
“Bath is a world-famous visitor destination around the world, so in the first year that The Tour of Britain has achieved the upgraded HC status it is fitting to be starting a stage there.”
The 2014 Tour of Britain will begin in Liverpool on Sunday September 7, finishing eight days later in central London.
For more information on the Bath stage of the Tour of Britain visit www.bathnes.gov.uk/tourofbritain
Pictured: Bradley Wiggins on the winner’s podium after stage 8 of of the 2013last year's Tour of Britain
