Tour of Britain 2013 route announced

LONDON, UK - The 2013 Tour of Britain route has been announced and the eight day race looks one of the toughest ever. It is the tenth anniversary of the Tour since it was revived after a period in which it did not take place due to lack of interest in cycling in Britain and lack of funding.

The 1158.5km race will start in Peebles, Scotland on Sunday, 15 September, 2013 and will end in Whitehall, London the following Sunday. Stage 6 looks to be the 'Queen stage' of the Tour of Britain with a tough uphill finish at Haytor on Dartmoor.

The race was won last year by Jonathan Tiernan Locke and the Tour organisers will be hoping for another British success in 2013.

"This will definitely be the most challenging Tour of Britain yet," said Race Director Mick Bennett. "We have several unique features and are very excited about the inclusion of our first ever summit finish. Our longest ever time trial balances the course and will ensure that for spectators at the roadside and at home on television The Tour of Britain is a thrilling battle throughout."

Hugh Roberts, Chief Executive of SweetSpot Group, the organisers and promoters of The Tour of Britain., said: "This year's Tour will be an exciting and dynamic route, building on the success of last year's race and celebrating what has been an incredible ten years of growth for The Tour of Britain and cycling in the UK."

IG Index will continue to be the lead sponsor of the race and will be the presenter of the leader's gold jersey.

Tour of Britain 2013 stage routes

Stage 1 Sunday 15th September Peebles to Drumlanrig Castle 201km
Stage 2 Monday 16th September Cumbria, The Lake District Stage, Carlisle to Kendal 225km
Stage 3 Tuesday 17th September Knowsley Individual Time Trial 16km
Stage 4 Wednesday 18th September Stoke-on-Trent to Llanberis 190.9km
Stage 5 Thursday 19th September Machynlleth to Caerphilly 177.1km
Stage 6 Friday 20th September Sidmouth to Haytor, Dartmoor 137km
Stage 7 Saturday 21st September Epsom to Guildford 150.4km
Stage 8 Sunday 22nd September The London Stage presented by TfL 88km