Gearing up for the Tour of Britain

Denbighshire is gearing up for the excitement of the Tour of Britain as the race returns to the county again this September.

The fourth stage of the event will be the longest day for the riders but will also see them tackle the most climbing, with a total ascent of 4,133m, as they feel the force of the Welsh mountains with the stage heading through the Clwydian Range and Cambrian Mountains. Starting in Denbigh the race will head first into Flintshire and Mold before heading south to Corwen and crossing into Powys, running along the outskirts of Snowdonia National Park. The peloton will then continue south, passing through Rhayader, before the fast run in to Builth Wells and the finish on the Royal Welsh Showground in a day that will surely prove crucial to the destination of the leader's yellow jersey.

Denbighshire is putting plans in place to celebrate the event, in partnership with Flintshire County Council.

Councillor Huw Jones, Cabinet Lead Member for Tourism, Leisure and Youth, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured the start of the North Wales stage this year, as we feel it will have great benefits to the tourism industry here in Denbighshire, as well as showcasing what the region has to offer.

“North Wales is fast earning itself a reputation for hosting and staging major events, with the Tour of Britain a prime example of how councils and event organisers work closely together to deliver these spectacular events. The support shown by our communities in recent years has well and truly added to the event’s success and we look forward to welcoming the sights and sounds of the event to Denbighshire and Flintshire in September”.

For further information, please visit: www.thetour.co.uk

A festival of cycling is also being arranged.  Watch this space for further details.