Warwick Racecourse hosts start of OVO Energy Tour of Britain

Warwick Racecourse will be the official start of the UK's biggest and most prestigious international cycling event.

The OVO Energy Tour of Britain is returning to Warwickshire for the second year in succession in September and will feature the only summit finish in the eight-stage race at Burton Dassett Country Park in Stratford-on-Avon District.

Once again it will be starting in Warwick, but instead of the town centre, from where the OVO Energy Women's Tour started back in June, it will be kicking off from the Jockey Club-owned venue.

The space available at the racecourse will accommodate the larger setup of the 20 men's teams plus the crowds of cycling fans and supporters who will arrive on Friday 13 September.

All the competing teams will be based at the course as well as additional activities such as face-painting, balloon modelling, pedal-maniacs and street entertainment (all of which are being provided by Warwick District Council) and the riders will roll out at 11am.

British Cycling and their breeze riders will also be leading local cyclists out onto the route ahead of the main event.

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: "Warwick Racecourse is an important part of Warwick's history and a fantastic attraction for the town.

"I am so pleased that it is hosting the start of the Warwickshire stage of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain and that we can showcase the venue to the whole world.

"There is going to be so much going on during the morning; I want to see everyone from residents to cycling fans turn out to the racecourse on 13 September to make sure we give the racers the right send off."

Organisers of the event are likely to announce in the next few weeks that several of the star names from the recent Tour de France will be taking part in the event, with notable squads such as Team INEOS, Mitchelton Scott and Team Dimension Data all taking part.

Andre Klein, General Manager at Warwick Racecourse, said: "We have seen some thrilling races at Warwick over the last year, but this one is something a little bit different - and certainly the longest!

"It's very exciting to be welcoming world-leading cyclists to our racecourse and we're expecting a packed grandstand to see the stage get underway.

"Having the Tour of Britain start here is the latest in a long line of sporting events that we have hosted and it is testament to the versatility of the racecourse."

The event will travel through all five districts and boroughs of Warwickshire for the first time, hosted by Warwickshire County Council with support from Warwick District Council, Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Rugby Borough Council and North Warwickshire Borough Council, and will once again end in Burton Dassett Country Park.

The 186.5km route includes Warwick, Kenilworth, the University of Warwick, Meriden, Fillongley, Atherstone, Mancetter, Hartshill, Galley Common, Corley, Bedworth, Bulkington, Brinklow, Long Lawford, Bilton, Dunchurch, Kites Hardwick, Princethorpe, Ashorne, Wellesbourne, Ettington, Edgehill, Warmington, Temple Herdewyke, and three ascents of Burton Dassett on a 12km route. 

The peloton will head up towards Meriden via Kenilworth and Berkswell, before travelling across North Warwickshire to Bedworth and Bulkington.

Riders will then head south towards Brinklow and the outskirts of Rugby, and back up to Princethorpe before racing along Fosse Way, down to Wellesbourne, and through Ettington and Edgehill.

Three Eisberg Sprints await competitors during the stage, the first at Berkswell, the second at Brinklow, and the third at Pillerton Priors. Competitors will then face three Skoda King of the Mountain challenges in a gruelling final stretch including two full loops of Burton Dassett County Park before crossing the tour's first-ever hill top finish line.

ITV4 will once again screen live free-to-air coverage flag-to-flag of each stage in the UK, along with a nightly highlights programme of the best of the action.

The OVO Energy 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 doorstep and helping to build a great cycling nation.

More details on the route can be found at www.tourofbritain.co.uk/stages/stage-seven

Pictured: Andre Klein, General Manager at Warwick Racecourse, with Monica Fogarty, chief executive of Warwickshire County Council