The Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men has announced the routes for the final two stages of this year’s race, set to take place in September. As Britain’s premier professional cycling event celebrates its 20th edition, the race promises an exciting climax with stages in West Northamptonshire and East Suffolk.
Stage 5 | Northampton to Northampton | Saturday 7 September
The penultimate day of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men brings the race into West Northamptonshire for the very first time for a 147 km stage starting from the University of Northampton’s Waterside Campus.
The peloton heads west, soon approaching the historic market town of Daventry. Here, the terrain begins to test their mettle with the last King of the Mountains challenges of this year’s race: Newnham Hill and Bullshill.
The route then takes a scenic loop south of Daventry, weaving through charming villages such as Abthorpe, Wappenham, and Helmdon.
As the riders push through the heart of Northamptonshire, they encounter the intermediate sprint at Holcot, near Pitsford Water. This sprint could play a crucial role in the day’s strategy, offering valuable time bonuses that might shift the leaderboard.
The final approach to Northampton is a spectacle in itself. The riders navigate through historic and quaint locales like Watford, West Haddon, and Naseby, before a likely sprint finish in Northampton’s bustling town centre.
Northampton’s Derngate holds a special place in the race’s history, having hosted the first-ever stage finish of the women’s Tour in 2014. Now, it’s the men’s turn to etch their names in the annals of this town’s sporting history.
Commenting on the stage, Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Race Director Rod Ellingworth, said: “With the stage being on a Saturday and its central location, we are expecting a lot of fans to be at the roadside to cheer the riders on. With the start on the University of Northampton’s Waterside Campus so close to the finish line in the town centre, it will make for a great location for fans of all ages to come down and see the start and finish of the stage and to make a day out of it.”
Stage 6 | Lowestoft to Felixstowe | Sunday 8 September
For the first time, Lowestoft’s promenade will serve as the starting point for the final, decisive stage of the race. From the coast at Lowestoft, the 158 km stage heads inland towards the charming town of Beccles, where the first of three intermediate sprints awaits.
The route meanders through the idyllic landscapes of East Suffolk, passing through Bungay, Halesworth, and Framlingham. Midway through the route, the peloton will navigate the picturesque yet challenging coastal stretch between Thorpeness and Aldeburgh. The exposed coastline promises to test the riders’ endurance and strategy, especially if the wind decides to play its part. Aldeburgh hosts the second intermediate sprint, adding another layer of tactical intrigue to the race.
The stage then takes the riders through Snape, Wickham Market, and Kesgrave, as they head towards the finish in Felixstowe. Along the way, the final intermediate sprint at Grundisburgh offers one last opportunity for riders to gain time bonuses and potentially alter the race’s outcome.
As the riders approach Sea Road in Felixstowe, memories of last year’s thrilling finish, where Wout van Aert triumphed, will be fresh in the minds of fans, before the 2024 champion of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men is crowned.
On the final stage, Ellingworth said: “This year’s final stage of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men is deceptive, with plenty of challenges to overcome before our 2024 champion can be crowned on Sea Road in Felixstowe. Suffolk has always provided great racing in the Tour, and this year will be no different, with sections along the exposed coastline that will be a real challenge if the wind blows, while the three intermediate sprints will ensure competitive racing thanks to the time bonuses on offer, which could become very important if the overall lead is slender going into the last day.”
The Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men has announced the routes for the final two stages of this year’s race, set to take place in September. As Britain’s premier professional cycling event celebrates its 20th edition, the race promises an exciting climax with stages in West Northamptonshire and East Suffolk.
Here’s a closer look.
Stage 5 | Northampton to Northampton | Saturday 7 September
The penultimate day of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men brings the race into West Northamptonshire for the very first time for a 147 km stage starting from the University of Northampton’s Waterside Campus.
The peloton heads west, soon approaching the historic market town of Daventry. Here, the terrain begins to test their mettle with the last King of the Mountains challenges of this year’s race: Newnham Hill and Bullshill.
The route then takes a scenic loop south of Daventry, weaving through charming villages such as Abthorpe, Wappenham, and Helmdon.
As the riders push through the heart of Northamptonshire, they encounter the intermediate sprint at Holcot, near Pitsford Water. This sprint could play a crucial role in the day’s strategy, offering valuable time bonuses that might shift the leaderboard.
The final approach to Northampton is a spectacle in itself. The riders navigate through historic and quaint locales like Watford, West Haddon, and Naseby, before a likely sprint finish in Northampton’s bustling town centre.
Northampton’s Derngate holds a special place in the race’s history, having hosted the first-ever stage finish of the women’s Tour in 2014. Now, it’s the men’s turn to etch their names in the annals of this town’s sporting history.
Commenting on the stage, Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Race Director Rod Ellingworth, said: “With the stage being on a Saturday and its central location, we are expecting a lot of fans to be at the roadside to cheer the riders on. With the start on the University of Northampton’s Waterside Campus so close to the finish line in the town centre, it will make for a great location for fans of all ages to come down and see the start and finish of the stage and to make a day out of it.”
Stage 6 | Lowestoft to Felixstowe | Sunday 8 September
For the first time, Lowestoft’s promenade will serve as the starting point for the final, decisive stage of the race. From the coast at Lowestoft, the 158 km stage heads inland towards the charming town of Beccles, where the first of three intermediate sprints awaits.
The route meanders through the idyllic landscapes of East Suffolk, passing through Bungay, Halesworth, and Framlingham. Midway through the route, the peloton will navigate the picturesque yet challenging coastal stretch between Thorpeness and Aldeburgh. The exposed coastline promises to test the riders’ endurance and strategy, especially if the wind decides to play its part. Aldeburgh hosts the second intermediate sprint, adding another layer of tactical intrigue to the race.
The stage then takes the riders through Snape, Wickham Market, and Kesgrave, as they head towards the finish in Felixstowe. Along the way, the final intermediate sprint at Grundisburgh offers one last opportunity for riders to gain time bonuses and potentially alter the race’s outcome.
As the riders approach Sea Road in Felixstowe, memories of last year’s thrilling finish, where Wout van Aert triumphed, will be fresh in the minds of fans, before the 2024 champion of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men is crowned.
On the final stage, Ellingworth said: “This year’s final stage of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men is deceptive, with plenty of challenges to overcome before our 2024 champion can be crowned on Sea Road in Felixstowe. Suffolk has always provided great racing in the Tour, and this year will be no different, with sections along the exposed coastline that will be a real challenge if the wind blows, while the three intermediate sprints will ensure competitive racing thanks to the time bonuses on offer, which could become very important if the overall lead is slender going into the last day.”
Featured image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
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