Tour of Britain to pass through Sussex

The Tour of Britain will pass through Horsham and Haywards Heath this year, it has been announced.
Tour of Britain routeTour of Britain route
Tour of Britain route

Stage Seven on Saturday September 13 will see the world’s top riders racing through West and East Sussex, and taking on the famous climb of Ditchling Beacon, before the finish on Madeira Drive in Brighton.

Sir Bradley Wiggins will be among those starting in Camberley, before passing through Haselmere, Horsham and Haywards Heath.

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Commenting on the announcement, Louise Goldsmith, the leader of West Sussex County Council, said: “I am delighted that we will welcome The Tour of Britain through West Sussex this September. It will be a great opportunity to showcase our beautiful county as a destination for cyclists and I am sure the event will also act as a tremendous boost to the local economy.”

Heading through East Sussex Uckfield, Eastbourne and Newhaven will all feature, with several sections on or close to the seafront, before the race crosses back over the South Downs for the climb of Ditchling Beacon.

Race director Mick Bennett said: “We are delighted to be bringing The Tour of Britain to Sussex and Brighton for the first time in the race’s modern history.”

“While the finish in Brighton is definitely one for the sprinters, the South Downs and Ditchling Beacon in the closing kilometres will pose a real challenge to them, and set up what I am sure will be a fantastic finish on the seafront.”

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Final route details for Stage Seven will be announced in the Summer, along with details of the leg’s Yodel Direct Sprints and SKODA King of the Mountains climbs.

The 2014 Tour of Britain will begin in Liverpool on Sunday September 7, finishing eight days later in central London with a double-header final day, featuring an individual time trial and circuit race finishing on Whitehall.

This year’s Tour of Britain will be the first ranked at the 2.HC level following an upgrade during the winter by the UCI, the sport’s governing body.