The UK’s biggest professional cycle race to kick off in Manchester next year

Manchester is set to host the grand depart of the UK’s biggest professional cycle race on Sunday September 3rd.

Relaunched in 2004 after a five-year absence from the calendar, the Tour of Britain is British Cycling’s premier road cycling event, held annually across eight days in September.

It will mark the return of the Tour of Britain to Manchester, the home city of British Cycling, for the first time since 2019, when Mathieu van der Poel won the final stage of the race on Deansgate in the city centre.

Manchester was host to the first stage of the modern tour of Britain when it rebooted in 2004.

Mick Bennett, Tour of Britain race director, said: “It’s great to return to Manchester following the huge successes of the race’s last visit there in 2019 and, of course, this year’s Tour Series Grand Final in the heart of the city. Manchester is both synonymous with British Cycling and the way it is leading the charge towards active transportation so we can’t wait to get the 2023 Tour of Britain underway in the city.”

Building on the success of Aberdeen hosting the grand depart of the 2022 Tour of Britain, featuring evening events and a cycling festival, race organisers SweetSpot will organise a weekend of cycling events and activities in and around the city, building up to the start of the race in central Manchester.

The announcement follows the news that the final stage of the 2023 Tour will take place in Wales, on Sunday 10 September, as part of a long-term agreement between the Welsh Government and race organisers SweetSpot.

Jonathan Day, Acting Cycling Delivery Director at British Cycling, said: “The Tour of Britain has long been a highlight of the cycling calendar and it is always a privilege to welcome it to Greater Manchester.

 “With Manchester also being the home of British Cycling, it will provide a great opportunity for many of our Great Britain Cycling Team riders to showcase this fantastic sport to even more people, giving them the chance to see some of the world’s best riders on their doorstep.

“With activities taking place across the weekend, it’s the perfect opportunity to inspire more people to get on a bike and give cycling a go.”

Further details of the Tour of Britain 2023 will be announced in the new year, including details of further host venues for the race, ahead of the route launch in the spring.