The Tour of Britain, the UK’s most prestigious professional cycling race, makes a welcome return to Dumfries & Galloway on Tuesday the 29th August. The sole Scottish stage of the 6 day event takes place once again between Glasgow and Castle Douglas, a gruelling 115 mile road trip for the 96 elite cyclists. Up to 8000 spectators are expected to turn out in the Food Town to welcome the Tour, and enjoy a full day’s entertainment to complement the world-class sporting action.
The Tour route, leaving from Glasgow’s George Square at 10.30am, will take in Carsphairn (at approximately 12.50pm), Dalry (13.10pm), New Galloway (13.20pm), Kirkcudbright (14.10pm) and arrive in Castle Douglas for the Stage Finale on King Street (Market Hill) at any time from 14.40pm onwards.
The re-established Tour of Britain, now in its third year, has six stages, culminating in the final stage in central London. The exciting Tour finale will be a 20 lap loop around the Mall and will be televised live on the BBC, on Sunday the 4th September. The Tour is a blue riband cycling event that takes place on the world stage, attracting national and international interest. This year’s Tour will see 16 professional teams take part with 96 riders competing to win the prestigious yellow jersey. Nick Nuyens of the Quick Step team is returning to defend his title but faces fierce competition from Andreas Kloden (2004 Runner Up in the Tour De France), Tom Boonen (current World Champion) and a host of other international quality cyclists.
Castle Douglas is, once again, the smallest location to host a stage finish in the 2006 Tour. Organisers of the Tour are confident that the atmosphere created in 2005 when upwards of 5000 cycling enthusiasts and supportive locals viewed the event, will be surpassed this year. Jazz bands, a food town market, children’s cycle races and chef demonstrations will entertain the crowd until the Tour’s arrival.
For further information please contact Karen Leithead, External Relations Executive on Karen.Leithead@visitscotland.com
