Tour of Britain Cycle Race

The Tour of Britain cycle race returns to Devon on Thursday 15 September 2011.

Building on the success of the past two years, which brought £11million into the local economy, Devon County Council is proud to be hosting an entire stage of the Tour of Britain this year for the first time. The Tour of Britain 2011 takes place over eight days, from Sunday 11 September to Sunday 18 September. Stage Five of Britain’s premier cycle race will cover around 110 miles of Devon on Thursday 15 September, as 96 of the world’s top professional cyclists compete to wear the new IG Markets Gold Jersey, which replaces the yellow jersey. This year’s route goes from Exeter to Exmouth – but taking the long way round. Set against the backdrop of the region’s stunning landscape, the demanding Devon Stage is expected to be crucial, providing another stern challenge for some of the world’s best cyclists.

The race will start in Exeter and travel through Devon, finishing on the Esplanade in Exmouth. Starting from Cathedral Yard in Exeter, the Devon stage will push the professional cyclists to their limits as they cover more than 110 miles (180 km) of tough terrain, including Dartmoor National Park, before finishing in Exmouth. The route will take in a number of other communities including Pathfinder Village, Tedburn St Mary, Moretonhampstead, Bovey Tracey, Dartmeet, Postbridge, Bow, Crediton, Broadclyst, Rockbeare and West Hill.