Bristol’s economy is in line for a boost later this year when the city hosts the penultimate stage of the Tour of Britain 2016, British Cycling’s premier road cycling event.
The seventh stage of the high-profile race will take place entirely within the city on Saturday September 10. 
The world’s top riders will return to the city for the first time since 2014 to take on a challenging double-stage, contesting an individual time trial against the clock in the morning before a circuit race on a 15.3-kilometre circuit in the afternoon, giving cycling fans in Bristol a spectacular double treat.
The stage is proposed to use the same highly popular finish on the Bristol Downs as hosted a stage finish of the 2014 Tour of Britain, as well as a challenging circuit including the SKODA King of the Mountains climb of Bridge Valley Road that will feature in both the time trial and road race.
Mayor of Bristol George Ferguson said: “I began discussions with the organisers to make sure the Tour of Britain came to Bristol over three years ago, before I was elected as mayor, so I’m particularly excited that this year we shall be staging the penultimate stage for the race and be the sole venue for the day. The Tour’s route will showcase the glories of Bristol and demonstrate why we have an increasing reputation as a ‘cycling city’.
“I am proud of the fact that we are a city of cyclists of all types and ages and that I have played my small part in this for some 40-years. Since being the UK’s first Cycling City, bikes have been on the rise here. We have seen a massive increase in the amount of people cycling for work and pleasure, putting us way ahead of the pack of major cities in the UK. With another exciting program of events this summer I am confident that more Bristolians will discover the joy of cycling and interest will only continue to grow.
“I hope we can all share a sense of pride that the city is now getting a chance to play such an important part in this major national sporting event which reinforces our credentials as a city of sport.”
Bristol Partnership for Sport and Active Recreation chair, Colin Sexstone, added: “Bristol is the perfect backdrop for the Tour of Britain, and, speaking on behalf of the newly-formed Bristol Partnership for Sport and Active Recreation, we are thrilled that this year’s race will take in the sights, landmarks and contours of our city. There will quite literally be lots of ups-and-downs, and I am sure that Bristol will deliver the most thrilling and high-octane stage of this year’s Tour of Britain.
“Bristol is a natural home for cycling in the UK. It’s already the city’s most popular participation sporting activity, helping 50,000 Bristolians and 13% of us to be more active. Our aim as a partnership is to make Bristol an even more active and healthier city, and we expect events like the Tour of Britain to encourage many more to get on their bikesn”
Stage 7a will see riders tackle one-lap of the proposed circuit against the clock, from the start/finish line on the Bristol Downs, including crossing the world-famous Clifton Suspension Bridge, passing the Ashton Court Estate and racing back through Bristol’s Harbourside district before the climb of Bridge Valley Road back to the finish on the Downs.
The second part of the racing in Stage 7b will be a five-lap circuit race, using the same circuit as proposed for the time trial and featuring multiple ascents of the 600-metre, 9% climb of Bridge Valley Road.
Further details about Stage Seven, including timings and other events will be announced in the coming weeks by Bristol City Council and event organisers SweetSpot.
Tour of Britain Race Director Mick Bennett said: “We are thrilled to be working with the Mayor of Bristol and Bristol City Council and to be proposing to use such an amazing circuit past some of the city’s most iconic sites. The highly popular stage finish in 2014 with the challenging finale of Bridge Valley Road whetted our appetite to create what will be a very challenging stage with both a time trial and road race, for what will in effect be a mini-World Championships.”
