Tour of Britain 2024 in Darlington, Saltburn and Redcar

The Tees Valley will host a full stage of the world-class cycle race, which begins tomorrow (Tuesday 3 September) in the Scottish Borders.

After the first day of cycling, the racers head northeast and start in Darlington city center.

For all those who come to the start by bike, there are covered and lockable bicycle parking spaces available on the town hall square, just a short walk from the start line.

Fans can watch the teams and riders prepare for the stage in the Market Square. From 9:50am, the riders will be introduced to the crowd on the podium team by team before the stage starts at 11am. The 18 teams will then set off from West Row beneath Darlington's clock tower.

The peloton first heads east through Middleton St George and then to Eaglescliffe and Yarm.

There will be an intermediate sprint at Stokesley in North Yorkshire, where fans can watch the peloton battle for vital points in the shadow of historic buildings such as the 12th-century Church of St Peter and St Paul, before the riders wind their way into the North York Moors National Park.

Heading east, the route tackles a series of unclassified climbs around Commondale, Castleton and Danby before reaching the first King of the Hills above Ugglebarnby, with an average gradient of over eight percent over a one-kilometre stretch.

The race then descends to Robin Hood's Bay to tackle the second climb, which climbs from almost sea level up Raw Pasture Bank at an average gradient of 7.5%. The course then continues north past Whitby Abbey and descends into the famous North Yorkshire seaside town.

(Image: Tour of Britain)

The final categorised climb of stage two is the 1.7km Lythe Bank climb, with an average gradient of 7.7 per cent, from Sandsend. Finally, the race heads past Staithes to Redcar and Cleveland, where one loop takes in many of the roads used in June's Lloyds Bank British National Road Race Championships, won by Ethan Hayter.

The lap includes two climbs to the famous Saltburn Bank. The 300-metre climb has an average gradient of over 14 per cent, but also includes a section of 22 per cent gradient that could prove to be a springboard for victory, as the summit is reached within the final ten kilometres.

After more than 2,500 metres of climbing on this stage, the final kilometres along the North Sea between Marske-by-the-Sea and Redcar offer some respite, but due to the exposed nature of the Coast Road, the wind on the home straight to Zetland Park could present a final challenge to overcome.

The jersey handover will take place after the end of the race, probably shortly before 3 p.m.

There will also be a fan village in Redcar, offering food, drinks and entertainment throughout the day.

(Image: Will Palmer/SWpix.com)

One of the biggest names in this year's Tour is Tom Pidcock (of INEOS Grenadiers), the second gold medalist of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, who has confirmed his participation in the race.

The 25-year-old joins the likes of two-time Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel and former race winner Julian Alaphilippe (both Soudal Quick-Step) on the provisional start list for the 20th edition of Britain's biggest professional cycling race.

Pidcock, who defended his Olympic cross-country mountain biking title in Paris, will ride in the Tour of Britain after representing Great Britain at the 2024 UCI MTB World Championships.

Pidcock said: “The Tour of Britain is a very special race for me. Coming back to the UK after such a racing-intensive year and pinning my numbers on in front of the passionate home fans is always a great motivation.”

“I can’t wait to compete with my INEOS Grenadier teammates at our home race and we look forward to seeing you all on the road.”

For more information about the Tour of Britain visit the official website at www.britishcycling.org.uk/