Preparations are well underway to welcome Tour of Britain cyclists to Cheshire East for Stage Three of the prestigious event – with a whole host of activities planned for spectators to enjoy.
The largest free to attend sporting event begins in Glasgow on September 4th and concludes in London on September 11th, with 10 of the Union Cycliste Internationale's (UCI) top level world tour teams among the 20 teams competing this year - including Tour de France winners, Team Sky.
Comprising eight stages in total, the race heads to Cheshire for Stage Three on Tuesday, September 6th, and will see riders cycling just over 111 miles between Congleton and Tatton Park, setting off at 11am and finishing at around 3.30pm. It is the only stage that is being held completely within one county.
Riders are expected to reach Mobberley just after 1pm then will then travel through Great Warford and Chorley before turning up Brook Lane and reaching Alderley Edge just after 1.20pm. They will proceed down London Road where the third sprint of the day will finish in the village centre by the newsagents.
Riders will then proceed up Macclesfield Road for the start of the King of the Mountains race, passing through Over Alderley, Prestbury, Bollington and Rainow before heading up to the Cat & Fiddle.
The Tour of Britain will head back to Tatton Park via Siddington, Chelford, Marthall and Ollerton reaching Tatton Park about 3.15pm.
To minimise disruption across Cheshire East, all roads on the route will be closed using a rolling road block for around 40 minutes – both 20 minutes before and after the cyclists are expected to pass through each town. Spectators are urged to arrive in plenty of time to avoid the road closures.
Those thinking of attending the start of the race in Congleton need to be aware that Market Street, High Street/Lawton Street and one side of Mountbatten Way will be closed from 4.30am.
Across the Borough, towns being visited by the route have been busy organising events and activities to give the Tour the welcome it deserves and big screens will be showing the race live in Tatton Park where the crowds will be entertained with music, dance, street art, installations, interactive children's activities and access to the usual attractions, plus free parking.
Click here for more details about Stage 3 of the Tour of Britain, including an interactive map detailing the route and information about events going on in the local area.
