Milton Keynes is gearing up for the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men on 4 September, with spectators at the race’s start on Midsummer Boulevard promised a full morning of cycling themed activities.
The world class cycling race – which is also the UK’s largest free to attend sporting spectacle – will be the final chance to see Tour de France, Olympic and World champion Geraint Thomas in competitive action before he retires.
The Welsh winner is one of many legends in the race where multiple Tour de France winning squads including the world’s number one ranked team, UAE Team Emirates – XRG, will be battling it out.
Stage three of the Tour will get underway from Midsummer Boulevard (next to the Theatre and Gallery) at 11:30, and spectators can find activities and entertainment from 9.30am onwards, including stunts, free bike checks from Trek and Dr Bike, and the opportunity to decorate your bike for free with artist Kerry Lemon.
You’ll also be able to find out about women’s bike rides and community bike clubs running in the city and take part in pedal powered fun tasks.
The MK Gallery café will be opening early on the day to help keep everyone refreshed.
The Lloyds Tour of Britain Men begins on 2 September with a pair of stages in Suffolk, before reaching Milton Keynes and Central Bedfordshire on 4 September. It continues through Warwickshire and concludes in south Wales with a final stage starting at the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales in Newport and ending in Cardiff on 7 September.
As well as seeing the action on Midsummer Boulevard, spectators are welcome along the route wherever it is safe to watch, and many local people will be getting a front row view to cheer on the world-class cyclists as they pass by businesses and schools as well as homes.
The race uses what’s known as ‘rolling road closures’ where roads will close for a short period when the race passes through, minimising any dangers to athletes, officials, spectators and local people.
The full route is:
Midsummer Boulevard
Marlborough Gate
Silbury Boulevard
Overgate
Childs Way (H6)
Marlborough Street (V8)
Chaffron Way (H7)
Brickhill Street (V10)
Station Road
Woburn Sands Road
Bow Brickhill Road
The Leys
Hardwick Road
Woburn Road - into Central Bedfordshire
Fans who can’t make it in person can also find live coverage of all six stages, along with daily highlights, on ITV4 and ITVX.
“In just over two weeks we’ll be welcoming brilliant teams and dedicated fans to Milton Keynes for the return of the Lloyds Tour of Britain. Do come and join us on the day to cheer on these world-class athletes, soak up the atmosphere, and make the most of the free activities on Midsummer Boulevard.”
In partnership with Destination MK, we’re celebrating all things cycling in the city with a photography competition. You could win TWO adult Ridgeback Comet bikes and TWO Ridgeback child bikes (model dependent on age) worth over £1700 courtesy of Madison, the UK’s leading distributor of cycle parts and accessories, by sharing your favourite photo of cycling in Milton Keynes. Find out how to enter here: www.destinationmiltonkeynes.co.uk/cycling-photography-competition/