Latest news with #LloydsTourofBritain
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Tour of Britain 2025 finale to feature Pontypool route
The 2025 professional cycle race will include two stages across south Wales, culminating in an overall finish in Cardiff on September 7. Welsh cyclist, Geraint Thomas, will make his final road race appearance in the event. The first stage, on September 6, will see the world's top cyclists take on a 133.5-kilometre (83-mile) route from Pontypool to a summit finish atop The Tumble in Monmouthshire. Welsh Government minister with responsibility for sport, Jack Sargeant, said: "The Lloyds Tour of Britain showcases the very best of Welsh landscapes and our passion for cycling. "These challenging routes promise to be a great test for some of the world's top cyclists whilst providing a wonderful viewing experience for spectators at the many fantastic locations along both routes." Stage five will start from Pontypool Park in Torfaen at 11.30am, with fans in the town also able to see the race later in the day, as the route snakes back through Pontypool, at around 2pm, after its first ascent of The Tumble. The route will then head to Usk and Chepstow, taking in the first of five categorised king of the mountains ascents at Llangwm, averaging 4.7 per cent over its 3.6 kilometres. Immediately after Chepstow, the race tackles Itton Hill, the second climb of the day, almost five kilometres in length, and heads on to Monmouth, and then the Old Ross Road climb on the way to Abergavenny. From the town, the race will head to its first ascent of The Tumble, averaging over 8 per cent across its 4.9-kilometre distance, before a fast descent into Blaenavon and along the Afon Lwyd valley to Pontypool. The stage retraces its route to Usk, turning north via the Chain Bridge across the River Usk, to head back to The Tumble and the final, gruelling race up to the finish line at the summit, after more than 2,330 metres of ascent during the day, for an expected finish just before 3pm. The race resumes the next morning, September 7, at 11.45am from outside the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales in Newport, and while the 112.2-kilometre (69.8-mile) final stage only features two categorised climbs (Mynydd Bedwellte and Caerphilly Mountain), the constant undulations add up to almost 1,750 metres of ascent. Located with under 10 kilometres of racing to go, the 1.4-kilometre, 9.7 per cent average gradient climb of Caerphilly Mountain will again prove decisive for the stage winner in Cardiff, with a fast and relatively straightforward run in to Cardiff, including passing the Maindy cycle track, before the finish on North Road, alongside Bute Park, at around 2.45pm. Hundreds of cyclists will race through the streets of Pontypool as part of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Finale (Image: Allan McKenzie/ Torfaen County Borough Council leader, councillor Anthony Hunt, said: "Hosting a stage of the Lloyds Tour of Britain is a prestigious event to bring to Torfaen and the extra footfall will give a boost to our local economy. "It's a chance for residents and cycling fans to get up close to world-class athletes in the borough and give Geraint Thomas a cheer in his final professional race. "This is a great chance for people in Torfaen to see a first-class sporting event for free on their doorsteps. "We're also looking forward to welcoming visitors to the area for the start and finish and showcasing some of our stunning landscapes to TV viewers, including Pontypool Park and the Blaenavon World Heritage site." Cardiff Council cabinet member for culture, parks and events, councillor Jennifer Burke, said: "The city is always buzzing when a major sporting event is in town and with this being homegrown sporting legend Geraint Thomas's final race - after a career that has seen him reach the very heights of world cycling, winning world championships, Olympic golds as well as claiming the famous yellow jersey - I'm sure the streets of his hometown will be lined with spectators cheering him, and all the other participants, on through those tough final miles."
Glasgow Times
15-06-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow care home celebrate World Bicycle Day with rides
HC-One Scotland's Ailsa Craig Care Home in Glasgow celebrated the day with its new cycling initiative aimed at bringing joy to its residents. The rides were held on June 6 and June 8 in partnership with Cycling Without Age Scotland. Residents were treated to scenic bike rides across Falkirk and Glasgow, fostering community connection and creating cherished memories. On Friday, June 6, residents Dena Sinclair, Margaret Quirk, and James Davidson embarked on a scenic road trip to The Helix in Falkirk. They cycled along the Forth and Clyde Canal, admiring the iconic 100ft Kelpie structures, Baron and Duke, and enjoying the natural beauty despite light rain. The celebrations continued on Sunday, June 8, with residents Nessie Henderson and Isa McGilvary joining the Lloyds Tour of Britain family cycle in Glasgow. Ailsa Craig residents at the Barras market (Image: Supplied) The route started at the People's Palace and wound through Glasgow Green, Trongate, and the Barras. Isa, who celebrated her 98th birthday the day before, was particularly thrilled, enthusiastically waving throughout the ride. Danielle Stewart, Ailsa Craig wellbeing coordinator, and the rest of the team were on hand throughout to ensure residents felt safe and engaged. Fiona Pryce, HC-One Scotland's Ailsa Craig wellbeing coordinator, said: "This is our third year partnering with Cycling Without Age, and the joy it brings our residents is truly special. "We're already looking forward to more rides in the future." Catherine Ferguson, HC-One Scotland's Ailsa Craig Care Home Manager, added: "These rides are a fantastic example of meaningful activities that connect our residents with the community. "Seeing their happy faces as they explored Falkirk and Glasgow was truly heartwarming."
STV News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Cyclists prepare for first-ever world tour race held in Scotland
Cyclists from across the globe are preparing for the first-ever world tour race to be held in Scotland. In its 48th year, The Lloyds Tour of Britain Women's Cycling is coming to Glasgow next month. The race starts in Dalby Forest in the north east of England, before taking in Hartlepool for the second stage. It will then conclude with two stages in Scotland, firstly at Kelso in the Borders, then the final stage at Glasgow Green, where the winner will be crowned on June 8. After the main event at noon, there will be a family cycling festival where amateurs will take to the circuit to battle it out. Speaking to STV, cyclist Morven Yeoman said: 'To finish in Glasgow is unbelievable. Last year it was all sort of down Wales, Manchester direction, which feels close to home, but to have it in Glasgow is just incredible. 'To be racing at home, which we don't get to do that often, is unbelievable. Arianne Holland said: 'Obviously it's just nice to have the crowd behind us and everyone supporting us, and to be able to have friends and family come out to the different stages to support us. 'Especially for me, with it being in my home city of Glasgow on the final day, it doesn't really get any better than that for me.' Scottish Cycling's Nick Rennie said: 'It's just going to add a great deal of excitement, particularly a focus on women and girls cycling, which is always a real driver for us. 'We saw fantastic support and enthusiasm for the Cycling World Championships recently, so it's just a build up on that. 'We're really looking forward to two fantastic days of racing in Scotland with the finale in Glasgow.' The Lloyds Tour of Britain is the largest free-to-attend sporting spectacle in the UK and is delivered under the title of two races, one Tour of Britain. The Lloyds Tour of Britain Women, featuring the world's top teams and riders and attracting tens of thousands of fans to the roadside, takes place annually in June, as part of the UCI Women's World Tour, making it one of the most prestigious events in the sport's global calendar. Live coverage of the race will be broadcast around the world. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
