Where to catch this year’s OVO Energy Tour of Britain
On Saturday 7th September, the OVO Energy Tour of Britain 2019 returns to Scotland for the opening two stages of the 1,267-kilometre (787-mile) race.
( This is DGWGO Estimate of the route) As far as we can figure out – Stage One will pass down the A713 Ayr to Castle Douglas Road through Carsphairn, Dalry and Crossmichael, through Castle Douglas, then out towards Gelston, taking a left to Dougan Hill and a Right at Dougan Hill towards Dundrennan and Auchencairn on its way to the finishline in Kirkcudbright at approx 3.30pm.
Official Route info HERE
Among the top names already confirmed for the race are Mark Cavendish, Britain’s most successful rider of all time, 2019 Tour de France stage winners Dylan Groenewegen, Matteo Trentin and Mike Teunissen, while British road race and time trial champions Ben Swift and Alex Dowsett will also compete.
With just under a week to go until the start of Britain’s national cycling tour, we’ve compiled a list of the best vantage points to catch all the action.
Stage 1 – Glasgow to Kirkbudbright
The opening stage on Saturday 7th September will see the world’s top riders tackle a 201-kilometre (125-mile) opening leg from George Square in Glasgow city centre to the town of Kirkcudbright in south west Dumfries & Galloway.
Setting off at 10.30am, the riders will complete a loop of Glasgow city centre, taking in famous landmarks including the climb of Montrose Street, the Gallery of Modern Art and the People’s Palace on Glasgow Green before heading south through Renfrewshire, East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire before crossing into Dumfries & Galloway.
On route, riders will also be able to battle it out for points for the Eisberg sprints and SKODA King of the Mountains (KoM) jerseys, with three opportunities to gain the all-important points. The first intermediate Eisberg sprint comes approximately an hour into the race (11.45am) in Kilmarnock. Riders will hit the first SKODA KoM at approximately 1.15pm as they take on Lambdoughty Hill in South Ayrshire.
Shortly after descending Lambdoughty Hill, riders will face the second Eisberg sprint (approx. 1.30pm) and SKODA KoM (approx. 1.35pm) in the market town of Dalmellington.
The riders will then cross over into Dumfries & Galloway for the third and final Eisberg sprint in the village of Carsphairn (approx. 1.45pm) before taking on the final SKODA KoM of the day at Bankhead (approx. 3.15pm). They will then race their way to the finish line on St Mary’s Street in Kirkcudbright town centre at around 3.30pm.
This will be the fourth time that Glasgow has hosted the opening stage, while September 2019 is the tenth occasion that Dumfries & Galloway has welcomed Britain’s biggest professional cycle race, it will be the first time that the event has visited Kirkcudbright.
Councillor David McDonald, Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow Life, said: “George Square last hosted the Grand Depart in 2016, and thousands of spectators and fans lined the city streets to see elite riders and teams in action as they set off on the first stage of the competition.
“Glasgow is known for providing the warmest welcome in the country and the Grand Depart will be no different – riders are sure to get a fantastic send off and I can’t think of a better place to begin such an iconic race than the heart of our sporting city.
“This event gives cycling fans an unparalleled opportunity to see world-class team and riders take to the city’s streets – and with so many brilliant vantage points in the city, I’m sure we’ll see a record turnout this weekend.”
Cllr Adam Wilson, Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Events Champion said: “We’re really excited to be hosting the stage one finish in our region. The community of Kirkcudbright have been very supportive towards the entire event. The first stage will see cyclists and spectators take in some of our amazing Dumfries and Galloway scenery particularly at Carsphairn which is sure to see the cyclists at their quickest, and the hilly Bankend section will give the riders a real stamina test. Our Council is proud to work alongside The Tour and we hope that cyclists, event organisers and spectators enjoy their day in our region.”
For full details of Stage One, including timings, an interactive stage map and a downloadable stage map and profile please click here.
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