Stage 1
Sunday, September 3
Edinburgh to Kelso (188km)
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A difficult journey through Scotland on British roads that are typically tough, always a challenge given the smaller teams at the Tour of Britain (only 6 per squad), with 2,525 meters of uphill through 188km. The finish in Kelso is flat though and the majority of the bunch will be wanting to set up a bunch kick.
Stage 2
Monday, September 4
Kielder Water & Forest Park to Blyth (211km)
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The longest stage of the race and likely to be eventual on a number of fronts, not least the long periods they will sent on the Northwest coast where winds will play a big part.
There are KOM peaks to be contested at Winter’s Gibbet, Cragside and Corby’s Crags and Sprint points up for grabs at Seahouses, Warkworth and on the final loop into the finish at Seaton Sluice in the second half of the stage which is flatter than the first.
Stage 3
Tuesday, September 5
Normanby Hall Country Park to Scunthorpe (182km)
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A flatter affair overall, but with an interesting twist at the finish as there’s a kick uphill to the line that will interest a whole host of riders including puncheurs as well as the uphill sprinters who are here.
Stage 4
Wednesday, September 6
Mansfield to Newark-on-Trent (175km)
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175km that is nearly all on rolling roads, although there are fewer points on offer for the climbers. The riders will go from Mansfield to Newmark-on-Trent whilst passing through parks and cities like Southwell in-betweens. It looks to be another finish that should suit a sprinter.
Stage 5
Thursday, September 7
Tendring Stage Individual Time Trial (16km)
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Arguably the most important stage of the whole tour in terms of deciding who wins. This time trial is pan flat and right on the coast so exposed to the wind and there are long straight sections for the riders to put the power down. Many time trialists have come here, so expect a pretty serious fight for the overall.
Stage 6
Friday, September 8
Newmarket to Aldeburgh (183km)
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One of the flattest stages of the whole race. The peloton will leave Newmarket, the home of flat racing in the UK, and then journey through the rest of Suffolk before a coastal finish at Aldeburgh. It should be another sprint.
Stage 7
Saturday, September 9
Hemel Hempstead to Cheltenham (186km)
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The most interesting road stage of the race with 2,370 metres of climbing over 186 kilometres through the Costwolds. There isn’t really a flat stretch all day but the parts that matter come in the shape of climbs up Brill Hill and Bourton on the Hill before the finale at Cleeve Hill,
Stage 8
Sunday, September 10
Worcester to Cardiff (180km)
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History is made as the race finishes outside London for the first time in the first edition of the race that does not actually pass through London at any point. Climbs at British Camp, Marlborough Drag, and Celtic Manor are all sharp, but there’s a long period of flat and the sprinters' teams will be eyeing this up as well to end the race in style.
