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8th August 2018
Categories: Visitor News
For the first time in the history of the modern Tour of Britain, world class cyclists will race through the South Molton Pannier Market. It’s the first time that the race has been routed through a building.
Stage two of the race will begin on Monday, 3rd September starting at Cranbook and finishing in Barnstaple.
Cranbook, in East Devon, the UK’s newest town is the starting point with the cyclists covering 108 miles of countryside across the county to Barnstaple. They will travel through three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, skirt the border of the Exmoor National Park, visit the North Devon Biosphere Reserve and take the coastal road from Combe Martin to Saunton. It is a challenging course, just a few kilometres into the race, the cyclists will hit Chineway Hill in Ottery St Mary which is the first King of the Mountain Climb.
They will then pass through Honiton, Ufculme and Tiverton before going through the Pannier Market in South Molton and onto Barnstaple before embarking on a 70-km loop, taking in Bratton Fleming, Combe Martin, Ilfracombe, Woolacombe, Croyde, Saunton sands, Baraunton and then returning to Barnstaple for the grandstand stage finish.
The North Devon section of the tour won’t just involve beautiful sights, not only is there the coastal road, but it will also include a sprint close to Castle Hill and the 23% incline of Challacombe Hill.
Devon has a long history of hosting some of the most exciting and challenging stages of The Tour of Britain. The race is being hosted by Devon County Council, supported by East Devon District Council and North Devon Council, all of whom are working with Cranbrook Town Council and Barnstaple Town Council.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “Devon is synonymous with the Tour, this will be the 10th time in 12 years it has come to Devon and each and every time the crowds have been treated a o thrilling stage and something different. 2018 will be no exception, this year, the race will go through South Molton’s Pannier Market, the first time in the modern era the Tour has been routed through a building.
“But that isn’t all, there’s Challacombe Hill with a leg burning incline just 20 KM from the finish which will separate the contenders from the champions. There’s racing along the beautiful North Devon coast, taking in two AONB’s stage start in Cranbrook, the UK’s newest town. The list goes on and its free and generates millions for the local economy. Don’t miss it!”
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