On Thursday, 5 September, the city of Sheffield will host the start of stage three of the Tour of Britain Men, 17 years since the city of steel last hosted the race. The stage is 166 km length and features over 2700 m of elevation.
From the moment the race kicks off, the riders will face a series of stiff challenges. The route heads west, skirting the edge of the Peak District National Park. The first major test comes 20 km into the start with the King of the Mountains (KOM) climb on Long Lane above Loxley. This one kilometre ascent, averaging almost 9%, marks the start of a tough beginning to the stage.
Just a short descent later, the peloton will tackle the stage’s second KMO climb, Oughtibridge Lane, affectionately known as Jawbone Hill. This 1.7 km climb, with its 9% gradient, was featured in the Tour de France in 2014, and it’s sure to test the riders’ mettle once again.
The terrain settles down as the race winds through Chapeltown, Wath upon Dearne, Swinton, and Maltby, leading to the sole intermediate sprint in the charming market town of Tickhill. This marks the halfway point of the stage.
Skirting Doncaster, the route loops around the north of Barnsley, passing through Royston and Darton. The excitement builds as the riders approach Penistone and the series of short climbs that culminate in the ascent of the final categorised climb, Hound Hill. This 1.5-kilometre climb, averaging nearly 7%, tops out with just four kilometers remaining, which should make it a pivotal moment in the stage.
The finale awaits then in Barnsley. As the riders tackle the final 800 metres, they’ll face an uphill drag along Old Mill Lane and into County Way. With a 7% incline, this last stretch is set to provide a dramatic and challenging finish, ensuring a thrilling end to a grueling stage.
Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men Race Director Rod Ellingworth said: “For the return of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men to South Yorkshire we wanted to create a memorable and tough stage, and we are sure that with the route chosen we have done just that. There is a lot of climbing early on in the stage as we skirt the edge of the Pennines, and then what should be a really exciting finale, with the climb of Hound Hill and the drag up to the finish in Barnsley town centre combining for a tough end to the day’s racing.”
Stage 4 | Derby to Newark-on-Trent | Fri 6 September
The following day, the city of Derby will host the start of stage four, marking a historic moment as it welcomes the Tour of Britain for the first time in its 20-year history. The race will commence outside the iconic Derby Arena, setting the stage for a likely day for the sprinters.
As the riders set off, they will navigate through the picturesque roads of Derbyshire, passing through Elvaston, Borrowash, West Hallam, and Heanor. This marks the first time the national tour has graced Derbyshire roads since 2015.
Crossing into Nottinghamshire at Eastwood, the race continues through Hucknall, Ravenshead, Blidworth, Southwell, and Tuxford, before the race approaches the intermediate sprint at Collingham, where valuable time bonuses and points for the sprints jersey are up for grabs.
The final leg of the stage takes the riders southward, crossing the River Trent and heading towards the finish line alongside Sconce and Devon Park in Newark-on-Trent. This town has a rich history with the Tour of Britain, having hosted stage finishes before. In 2017, Fernando Gaviria claimed victory here, followed by Olav Kooij in 2023. A sprint finale seems likely again in 2024.
Ellingworth says: “After three tough days of racing, stage four could be the first chance for the sprinters, and having seen the likes of Fernando Gaviria and Olav Kooij win in Newark-on-Trent in the past, we know it is a route and finish that suits the fast men.”
A week after revealing route details for the opening stages of the 20th edition of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men, British Cycling has now published the routes for stages three and four, which will bring the race to South Yorkshire and the East Midlands this September.
Here’s a detailed look at what to expect.
Stage 3 | Sheffield to Barnsley | Thu 5 September
On Thursday, 5 September, the city of Sheffield will host the start of stage three of the Tour of Britain Men, 17 years since the city of steel last hosted the race. The stage is 166 km length and features over 2700 m of elevation.
From the moment the race kicks off, the riders will face a series of stiff challenges. The route heads west, skirting the edge of the Peak District National Park. The first major test comes 20 km into the start with the King of the Mountains (KOM) climb on Long Lane above Loxley. This one kilometre ascent, averaging almost 9%, marks the start of a tough beginning to the stage.
Just a short descent later, the peloton will tackle the stage’s second KMO climb, Oughtibridge Lane, affectionately known as Jawbone Hill. This 1.7 km climb, with its 9% gradient, was featured in the Tour de France in 2014, and it’s sure to test the riders’ mettle once again.
The terrain settles down as the race winds through Chapeltown, Wath upon Dearne, Swinton, and Maltby, leading to the sole intermediate sprint in the charming market town of Tickhill. This marks the halfway point of the stage.
Skirting Doncaster, the route loops around the north of Barnsley, passing through Royston and Darton. The excitement builds as the riders approach Penistone and the series of short climbs that culminate in the ascent of the final categorised climb, Hound Hill. This 1.5-kilometre climb, averaging nearly 7%, tops out with just four kilometers remaining, which should make it a pivotal moment in the stage.
The finale awaits then in Barnsley. As the riders tackle the final 800 metres, they’ll face an uphill drag along Old Mill Lane and into County Way. With a 7% incline, this last stretch is set to provide a dramatic and challenging finish, ensuring a thrilling end to a grueling stage.
Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men Race Director Rod Ellingworth said: “For the return of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men to South Yorkshire we wanted to create a memorable and tough stage, and we are sure that with the route chosen we have done just that. There is a lot of climbing early on in the stage as we skirt the edge of the Pennines, and then what should be a really exciting finale, with the climb of Hound Hill and the drag up to the finish in Barnsley town centre combining for a tough end to the day’s racing.”
Stage 4 | Derby to Newark-on-Trent | Fri 6 September
The following day, the city of Derby will host the start of stage four, marking a historic moment as it welcomes the Tour of Britain for the first time in its 20-year history. The race will commence outside the iconic Derby Arena, setting the stage for a likely day for the sprinters.
As the riders set off, they will navigate through the picturesque roads of Derbyshire, passing through Elvaston, Borrowash, West Hallam, and Heanor. This marks the first time the national tour has graced Derbyshire roads since 2015.
Crossing into Nottinghamshire at Eastwood, the race continues through Hucknall, Ravenshead, Blidworth, Southwell, and Tuxford, before the race approaches the intermediate sprint at Collingham, where valuable time bonuses and points for the sprints jersey are up for grabs.
The final leg of the stage takes the riders southward, crossing the River Trent and heading towards the finish line alongside Sconce and Devon Park in Newark-on-Trent. This town has a rich history with the Tour of Britain, having hosted stage finishes before. In 2017, Fernando Gaviria claimed victory here, followed by Olav Kooij in 2023. A sprint finale seems likely again in 2024.
Ellingworth says: “After three tough days of racing, stage four could be the first chance for the sprinters, and having seen the likes of Fernando Gaviria and Olav Kooij win in Newark-on-Trent in the past, we know it is a route and finish that suits the fast men.”
Featured image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
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