Warwickshire welcomes top male cyclists

The OVO Energy Tour of Britain is coming to Stratford-on-Avon district on Wednesday 5 September, when Warwickshire hosts Stage Four of the men's event.

This leg will be raced over 183.5 kilometres - the second longest of this year's Tour - from Nuneaton to Royal Leamington Spa, using many of the same roads that the world's top female cyclists covered when the women's stage race returned to the county in June.

Stage Four of the Tour of Britain will highlight Warwickshire's vast history and heritage, while also showcasing what modern Warwickshire can offer as a place to live and work. It will be a deceptively tough leg with a great deal of climbing.

The route includes over 1,700 metres of ascent and three designated Skoda King of the Mountains climbs, all of which take place in Stratford-on-Avon district - the first at Ilmington (estimated time 13:11 - 13:26), then Edge Hill (14:13 - 14:28), and the third - expected to be especially good for spectators - at Burton Dassett Country Park (14:27 - 14:42).

The district also hosts two Eisberg Sprint sections, at Wellesbourne (estimated time 12:42 - 12:57) and Southam (14:48 - 15:04).

Stage Four, which will pass through the district from around 12:30 to around 15:00, also visits Moreton Morrell, Ettington, Halford, Shipston-on-Stour, Upper and Lower Brailes, Tysoe, Kineton, Fenny Compton and Long Itchington, before finishing in the centre of Royal Leamington Spa.

Warwickshire County Council has worked with Sweetspot, the Tour organisers, to ensure that the Warwickshire stage showcases some of the county's best natural, historical and educational assets while providing an exciting and challenging route for the cyclists.

As well as the challenging route, British fans can also look forward to once again welcoming a star-studded line-up of teams to race on home roads this September, including the likes of UCI World Tour squads BMC Racing, Team Katusha Alpecin and Team Sky.

More details of the teams, route and estimated timings (including when roads are likely to be closed) can be found on the OVO Energy Tour of Britain website.

Residents can also check Warwickshire County Council's website for details of bus services affected by the Tour.