The UK’s biggest and most prestigious cycling race will be coming through Bolton this Saturday, and hundreds are expected to line the route to show their support.
The OVO Energy Tour of Britain brings together the world’s top teams and riders across a 1,250-kilometre route.
The eight-day race started in Glasgow on September 7 and the final leg of the race will pass through Bolton on Saturday (September 14).
Stage Eight will start at Altrincham and will see cyclists complete an anti-clockwise loop around Greater Manchester. Cyclists will come into Bolton via Bury, crossing the moorlands, passing through Bromley Cross, Egerton, Horwich and Blackrod, before exiting to Wigan.
School pupils, cycling clubs, local residents and councillors will be lining the route in key locations across the borough.
Fifty Walmsley C of E Primary School pupils will stand on Blackburn Road cheering on the cyclists, in t-shirts that spell Bolton.
Lee Lane in Horwich will welcome hundreds of residents and cycling fans to watch the sprint.
Spectators at each location will be given Bolton flags to wave as the competitors pass. Local businesses on the route are also expected to be joining in the fun, with family friendly activities and entertainment.
Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr David Greenhalgh, who is also a local councillor in Bromley Cross, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for residents in our town to watch an amazing sporting spectacle at close quarters.
“Bolton has a great reputation for hosting huge sporting events successfully – our track record with events such as Ironman speaks for itself.
“There is a huge amount of excitement across the borough and we are hoping the roads will be lined with people cheering on the competitors – I will be certainly leading the cheering in Bromley Cross and Egerton!”
“There is a huge amount of excitement across the borough and we are hoping the roads will be lined with people cheering on the competitors – I will be certainly leading the cheering in Bromley Cross and Egerton!”
Bolton will feature on ITV4’s live coverage of the race and the nightly highlights programme showing the best of the action.
What is the route in Bolton?
Cyclists are expected to first come into Bolton briefly from Hawkshaw (via Ramsbottom Road) between 1.20pm and 1.50pm before heading out to Edgworth along Bury Road, South Turton.
Around 15 minutes later they will then re-enter Bolton from Chapeltown Road and take the route via Bromley Cross Road, right onto Darwen Road, straight down Blackburn Road, left onto (back) Longworth Lane.
Cyclists then head out to Belmont on Egerton Road and come back into Bolton via Belmont Road.
They will then take a right over Scout Road, Colliers Row, and Walker Fold Road, right onto Chorley Old Road, exiting onto Church Street, before a sprint down Lee Lane on to Crown Lane.
The route then takes cyclists onto A6 Station Road Blackrod with competitors taking a right at Manchester Road, straight down Church Street, left at Hill Lane and then into Haigh.
The race will take around 40 minutes to pass through Bolton. For detailed timings visit https://www.tourofbritain.co.uk/stages/stage-eight/ or follow the race live on ITV4.
Best place to watch the race?
Approximately 22 kilometres of the race is in Bolton and spectators are expected to gather at the following locations: near Bromley Cross railway station; Darwen Road; Dunscar War Memorial; Egerton Park; Scout Road; near Horwich Leisure Centre (Chorley Old Road); Lee Lane; Crown Roundabout; Rivington Pub (Station Road) and Church Street (Blackrod)
Spectators are advised that car parking is not available near all of the locations and to come on foot or bicycle if possible.
Will roads be closed?
A rolling road closure will be in place along the route, with traffic halted just ahead of the competitors. The road will then re-open after the cyclists and support vehicles have passed.
Motorists are being warned to avoid the route and use alternative routes as delays are likely.
More information
For more details visit www.tourofbritain.co.uk