This year’s Tour of Britain, the UK’s biggest cycle race, will feature its first return to the Caerphilly Mountain climb since 2013 as part of a final stage in South Wales.
On Sunday, September 10, 2023, stage eight of the Tour will see over 100 of the world’s best riders race from Margam Country Park to the finish line in the shadows of Caerphilly Castle.
Far from being a ceremonial end to the race, the battle to be crowned Tour of Britain champion will go down to the wire thanks to a challenging route supported by the Welsh Government.
The sting in the tail comes in the form of a double ascent of Caerphilly Mountain, the gradient of which averages 10.1% across its 1.3 km. An estimated 10,000 spectators lined the route of this climb in 2013, the last time it featured in the Tour of Britain.
This will mark Caerphilly’s fourth appearance as a Tour of Britain stage finish, while Margam Country Park is a new-for-2023 host venue.
Stage eight is support in principle by Welsh Government as part of an agreement unveiled in 2022 that will see the Tour of Britain and its sister race, the Women’s Tour, each visit the country in alternate years through to 2026.
Dawn Bowden, Welsh Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, said “We’re looking forward to welcoming the Tour of Britain back again later this year. Wales’ credentials for hosting cycling events is now well-established.
“The Tour of Britain and Women’s Tour are the perfect showcase for our landscape as well as the welcome we provide to the competitors and spectators. Seeing some of the world’s best riders is also an excellent way of inspiring people to get active and explore Wales on their bikes.”
Caroline Spanton, Welsh Cycling CEO, said “We are delighted to see the Tour of Britain return to Wales, bringing with it the excitement and spectacle of top-class cycling to our doorstep.
“The Tour provides a fantastic opportunity for people of all generations and in particular our younger generations to witness first-hand the passion, athleticism, and thrill of cycling.
“By watching these world class athletes racing through our towns, we hope that young people can be inspired to get on their own bikes and explore the Welsh landscape around them and hopefully cultivates a lifelong love of this amazing sport alongside their families and friends.”
Mick Bennett, Tour of Britain race director, said “Together with the Welsh Government we wanted to design a stage that would combine sporting drama with visiting new areas of the country for the Tour of Britain, and, of course, including the climbs that south Wales is famous for.
“We are confident that, with the help of the Welsh Government and our stakeholders in Wales, we have achieved just that with a route that will take the outcome of the Tour down to the final climb.
“Stage eight is going to be challenging for these amazing riders, feature a true party atmosphere along the route, and will look incredible on TV for those watching around the world.”
This year’s Tour of Britain will begin in Greater Manchester on Sunday, September 3rd. Riders will also visit north Wales on stage two, which takes place in Wrexham. East Riding of Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk and Essex will all feature before the finale in South Wales.
ITV4 will continue to broadcast live flag-to-flag coverage of every stage, as well as a nightly highlights show, allowing fans in the UK to watch the action unfold wherever they are. International coverage will be available in over 100 countries via Discovery Player and GCN+.
