Chester, 24 August 2021: Beautiful Cheshire will come into view when the world's best road cyclists race along its highways on Stage 5 of the Tour of Britain (www.tourofbritain.co.uk) on 9 September. 

The UK's premier bike race (5-12 September) is returning to the county in 2021 because of its superb cycling terrain, from the slopes of the Cheshire Peak District to the famous Plain. Top international riders, including Mark Cavendish and Wout van Aert, will face gruelling climbs, such as the 1.7km ascent at Bottom-of-the-Oven in the shadow of the Bosley Cloud, as well as lung-busting sprints at Congleton, Wilmslow and Chelford. 

The 152km route will start at the world-leading biotech campus Alderley Park, which will host pop-up stalls by local retailers, family activities including cycle challenges, and food and drink. The finishing line will be at the splendid Victorian Golden Gates in Warrington. Excitement will build throughout the day at Warrington's Tour Village, with live coverage of the race on a big screen, stunt bike displays, and other fun activities and refreshments. The thrilling climax of the race will take place at about 3.20pm.

There are plenty of other vantage points on the route from which to cheer on the riders. The Tour loops past several of the county's great landmarks, including the Unesco World Heritage Site of Jodrell Bank, Tatton Park, and Capesthorne Hall, and calls at pretty towns and villages such as Knutsford, Macclesfield, and Alderley Edge. Cycling fans can make a day of it, or even a short break, with information about what to do, where to eat and drink and where to stay at www.visitcheshire.com/tourofbritain.

Locals and visitors inspired to take to two wheels themselves will discover plenty of cycling options in Cheshire. There's the chance to follow in the tyre tracks of the professionals by using the race's route map at www.tourofbritain.co.uk/stages/stage-five and to explore further afield with one of the selection of cycling trails at www.visitcheshire.com/things-to-do/explore-the-countryside/cycling-trails. Cycling holidays in Cheshire are available with Byways Breaks (www.byways-breaks.co.uk/cycling-holidays/cheshire).

Notes to editors:

For further information and images, contact Kate Simon on 07939 526109 or kate@traveltappers.co.uk. 

Marketing Cheshire is the agency for promoting Cheshire and Warrington nationally and internationally to investors, business and leisure visitors, and residents. It offers core marketing services including PR, marketing, event management, social media and brand consultancy to public and private sector clients.

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