Haytor's Tour of Britain climb 'will be one of the toughest'

The summit stage finish at Haytor will be one of the toughest three hill-climbs in this year’s Tour of Britain says race director Mick Bennett.

And the Devon stage's victor could crucially point the way to who wins the overall race.

This year’s Stage Six of Tour of Britain starts in Sidmouth and ends in Haytor, taking in communities including Ottery St Mary, Honiton, Willand, Tiverton, Crediton, Moretonhampstead, Chudleigh and Bovey Tracey.

It is being hosted by Devon County Council and partners East Devon District Council, Sidmouth Town Council, Teignbridge District Council and Dartmoor National Park and takes place on Friday 9 September.

Ten World Tour teams start this year’s Tour of Britain for the first time, with the teams of British favourites Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish’s (Team WIGGINS and Team Dimension Data respectively) racing on home roads.

In total seven British teams will compete headlined by Team Sky and the Great Britain national team, and also including UCI ProContinental team ONE Pro Cycling who will be appearing in their second edition of the race.

Mick Bennett, Race Director of the Tour of Britain, said: “Riders will be facing a route which will include some of the toughest ŠKODA King of the Mountains climbs in the history of the modern race.

“These include The Struggle in the Lake District on Stage Two and the summit finish of Haytor on Stage Six with the 5.9-kilometre climb, which averages at 6% and ascending over 350-metres.

“While the climb of the Cat and Fiddle in Cheshire’s Peak District on Stage Three is the longest of the race at over 10-kilometres and with the summit at 515-metres will be the highest point on the 2016 route.”

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways with responsibility for cycling, said: “Once again all eyes around the world are going to be on Devon. The Haytor summit finish will not only be one of the toughest climbs of this year’s Tour but because it’s the only stage finish riders are going to give it everything and not leave anything in reserve.

“The Devon stage is only 150km long (93miles) but there is barely a mile of flat terrain with climbs totalling 3,101metres. It’s sure to be one of the most thrilling stages.”

In total riders will face 20 ŠKODA King of the Mountains climbs, with the final categorised climb of Bridge Valley Road in Bristol coming on the penultimate stage of the race on Saturday 10 September.

During the course of the 1,200 plus kilometres of this year’s Tour of Britain routes riders will contest 22 intermediate Yodel Sprints, sponsored by UK parcel delivery company Yodel.  In addition to time bonuses, points awarded at the Yodel Sprints will count towards the Yodel Sprints Jersey, won last year by ONE Pro Cycling’s Peter Williams.

And this year Devon will receive worldwide exposure on two channels - fans can watch LIVE coverage of British Cycling’s premier road event on BIKE Channel UK this September on Sky, Virgin and Freesat. 

Alongside the BIKE Channel, ITV4 will also screen live coverage and highlights daily from the Tour of Britain.

The Tour of Britain is British Cycling’s premier road cycling event giving cycling fans the opportunity to see the world’s best teams and riders competing on their door step.

Mick Bennett added: “With 10 WorldTour teams riding in this year’s Tour of Britain, the race is now the biggest it’s ever been. BIKE’s coverage – available in over 17 million households in the UK – will bring the Tour of Britain to new audiences and is key to the continued growth of the country’s national Tour.”