The Tour of Britain cycle race comes to the Isle of Wight on Sunday 11 September 2022 and Isle of Wight ferry company Wightlink - who have signed up as an official sponsor of this year's final stage of the event - offer the best way to be part of the action. 

More than 100 of the world's top cyclists will be racing from Ryde to a thrilling uphill finish at The Needles in a 150-kilometre (93-mile) stage and by taking Wightlink's FastCat passenger service from Portsmouth Harbour, visitors can arrive right at the heart of the stage start. Spectators can bring their bikes for free, too, because bikes go free on all Wightlink services when travelling as a foot passenger.

As preparations for the race get going, spectators can enjoy time around Ryde Esplanade, mingling with the stars around the start line. The race teams will be preparing their bikes and the cyclists will be psyching themselves up for the gruelling day ahead. Visitors are encouraged to take selfies, ask questions and soak up the atmosphere.

Many of the competitors, as well as the tens of thousands of spectators, are expected to travel to the Isle of Wight with Wightlink as the Official Travel Partner.

Wightlink's Chief Executive, Keith Greenfield, said; "The beautiful Isle of Wight is a fantastic place for cyclists, whether professional racers, keen amateurs or families just enjoying a day out on two wheels.

"We are delighted to team up with the Tour of Britain organisers to promote the race and carry riders and spectators across the Solent to watch the action and are sure Sunday 11 September will be an incredible day for everyone."

Wightlink links the Isle of Wight with Hampshire via three ferry routes. As well as the Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde foot passenger route, there are convenient vehicle ferry routes from Portsmouth and Lymington to Yarmouth, should spectators wish to bring the car.

Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, Cabinet member for regeneration and tourism at Isle of Wight Council, said: “I'm delighted to welcome Wightlink as official travel partner for the Isle of Wight leg of the Tour of Britain, and thank them for their support.

“We are all excited for the arrival of the race in September and today's announcement gives the event a further boost.”

Will Myles, Managing Director of Visit Isle of Wight added, "The final stage of the Tour of Britain on the Isle of Wight looks set to be one of the most spectacular finishes ever. The Island is the ultimate destination for cyclists, whether out on a gentle ride with family and friends, or racing against some of the fastest cyclists in the world. Events need support and we welcome Wightlink as a key partner, whose help will go towards making this finale such an incredible spectacle.”

ITV4 will continue to broadcast live flag-to-flag coverage of every stage and nightly highlights show, allowing fans in the UK to watch wherever they are. The race will also be shown in over 150 countries worldwide, thanks to the event's partnerships with Eurosport and the Global Cycling Network.

Last year's star-studded race was won by Belgian rider Wout Van Aert (Team Jumbo – Visma), with reigning world road race champion Julian Alaphilippe finishing third overall. According to research by Frontline, a roadside crowd of over one million spectators resulted in the Tour of Britain generating £29.96m of net economic benefit for the UK economy.

For sample itineraries for everyone, from non-cycling families to bike enthusiasts, visit: 

wightlink.co.uk/tob

– Ends –

NOTES TO EDITORS

About the Tour of Britain

Stages

Stage one       Sunday 4 September              Aberdeen to Glenshee Ski Centre

Stage two       Monday 5 September             Hawick to Duns

Stage three    Tuesday 6 September            Durham to Sunderland

Stage four      Wednesday 7 September       Redcar to Duncombe Park, Helmsley

Stage five       Thursday 8 September           West Bridgford to Mansfield

Stage six        Friday 9 September                Tewkesbury to Gloucester

Stage seven   Saturday 10 September          West Bay to Ferndown

Stage eight     Sunday 11 September            Ryde to The Needles

Relaunched in 2004 after a five-year absence from the calendar, the Tour of Britain is British Cycling's premier road cycling event, held annually across eight days in September. The free-to-watch sporting spectacular features Olympic, world and Tour de France champions, and attracts a roadside audience of over 1.5m spectators. Live coverage of the race is shown daily in the UK on ITV4, in addition to around the world. The Tour of Britain is part of the UCI ProSeries, making it one of the most prestigious sporting events in the sport's global calendar.

Wightlink is the leading cross-Solent ferry operator carrying almost 4.5 million holidaymakers and Islanders across the Solent to the Isle of Wight every year. Eight ferries on three routes complete over 45,000 sailings a year, giving Islanders an easy and frequent service to mainland Hampshire, and visitors an accessible way to enjoy a taste of Island life.