Edinburgh hosts Stage Four of the Aviva Tour of Britain cycling race on Wednesday. Cyclists will travel 218km from the Scottish capital to Blyth, Northumberland (see route), leaving the city at 10am.
Cyclists will face a spectacular journey through the heart of the city, starting in Holyrood Park, winding past the Scottish Parliament and up the Royal Mile towards Edinburgh Castle.
The race will descend Johnston Terrace and travel through the Meadows before passing Arthur’s Seat and heading out of the city. After leaving Edinburgh, the race will move on to East Lothian.
“As the starting point and host city of the Scottish stage and with the dramatic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyrood House and ancient volcano Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh is the place to be to experience the thrill of the Tour of Britain.”
Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at VisitScotland said: “Scotland is gearing up to welcome the Aviva Tour of Britain and the top international cyclists and enthusiasts it brings with it from around the world.
“Scotland is the perfect stage for events with a global reputation for cycling and I’m certain the stages unveiled today will offer up some of Scotland’s most iconic and picturesque locations as a backdrop across the handlebars, as well as a fantastic spectator experience for all ages.”
Chief Executive for Scottish Cycling Craig Burn added: “Scottish Cycling is continuing to see an upsurge in interest in all areas of cycling. The Aviva Tour of Britain is a great showcase for cycling in Scotland and the hard work of the daily activities of our 178 clubs and the 600 plus events staged annually by our clubs and members.”
The Aviva Tour of Britain is British Cycling’s premier road cycling event giving cycling fans the opportunity to see the world’s best teams and riders competing on their door step.
Over twenty of the world’s top teams are taking part in the competition. Heading the lineup in Edinburgh for the event is Dutch cycling champion Dylan Van Baarle, who returns to the Tour of Britain to defend his title.
The Dutchman won the 2014 edition of Britain’s biggest bike race, snatching victory from Michal Kwiatkowski and Sir Bradley Wiggins. He will wear the #1 at the head of the six rider Team Cannondale Garmin line-up
Another confirmed participant is 2009 Champion Edvald Boasson Hagen who will lead the MTN Qhubeka p/b Samsung team, which also includes 2013 stage winner Gerald Ciolek.
Team Sky’s versatile Italian sprinter Elia Viviani (above) timed a late challenge to absolute perfection when he pipped Mark Cavendish and Andre Greipel to win the opening stage of the Aviva Tour of Britain in a dramatic finish in Wrexham yesterday.
The race moves on from Clitheroe to Colne in the Ribble Valley today and Stage Three will see the cyclists battle it out in The Borders tomorrow. Then on Wednesday, it’s Edinburgh: it promises to be quite a sight – don’t miss it!
Follow news of the Edinburgh event on Twitter using #TOBEdinburgh.
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