With 100 days to go until the Tour of Britain 2021 begins at Penzance, the major refurbishment the town's Victorian promenade is now complete and ready to welcome spectators.
The refurbishment of Penzance Promenade is a key part of Cornwall Council’s ambition to provide a cycling and walking trail, connecting Penzance to St Erth, Hayle and St Ives.
A commemorative marker for the Tour of Britain was installed as a part of the renovation, to mark the start location for the Tour of Britain 2021.
Stage One on Sunday, September 5 will set off from Penzance Promenade heading through St Just, St Ives, Hayle, Camborne, Pool, Redruth, Falmouth, Penryn, Truro, Newquay and St Austell before the finish in Bodmin after 180.8 kilometres (112.3 miles) of racing.
While it may be the first visit for the modern Tour of Britain to Cornwall, this week also marks 29 years since the Milk Race – a semi-professional forerunner of the Tour of Britain – began in Penzance in 1992.
Councillor Linda Taylor, leader of Cornwall Council, said: “In addition to showcasing Cornwall as a cycling destination, the Tour of Britain brings a fantastic opportunity to promote to our community the many benefits getting on a bicycle can have, from living healthier lives, helping with our wellbeing to caring for our environment.
“The refurbishment work which has just been completed on Penzance Promenade is a great example of the long lasting legacy projects associated with this event that the Council is leading on that will benefit our local residents and visitors.”
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Penzance is hoping to host a 'festival of sport' over the whole weekend, to try to involve as many residents, young and old, in both organised and casual activities.
Penzance mayor Jonathan How said: “We are very excited to be hosting the start of this internationally acclaimed sporting event right on our doorstep.
"It is a brilliant opportunity to show the rest of the UK what we are doing to provide improved facilities for cyclists and the partnership working that has been going on behind the scenes.
“The event will hopefully create a long-term legacy by placing the spotlight on cycling and tie in with the with €2.8m investment, announced in the autumn of last year, to improve the Mount’s Bay coast path.”
Race organisers SweetSpot say they are currently working closely with Cornwall Council, Devon and Cornwall Police, and other stakeholders to minimize disruption for residents and to provide clear communications to ensure that the event is enjoyed by everyone.
The Tour of Britain operates a rolling road closure to keep disruption along the route to an absolute minimum, with roads usually closed for less than 30 minutes as the race passes through.
Detailed timings for the whole of the Stage One route will be published in early July.
Among the teams already confirmed for the Tour of Britain are the Cornwall-based Saint Piran squad who will be making their debut in the race. Commenting on the news, Helston’s Steve Lampier, who has ridden the Tour of Britain on five previous occasions, said: “The countdown has begun – 100 days until the most exciting day of my career!
Two of Cornwall's elite cyclists join Penzance Town Council and Cornwall Council for the Tour of Britain countdown
"Having been dreaming of the big races since I was a small kid riding around Cornwall, to now having the world’s best on the roads, it is amazing to think about.
“I now have a solid build up with lots of European races planned to get me and the team in the best shape for what will be a hard day and race. This will be an event not to miss as Cornwall gears up to welcome the biggest ever sporting event ever to be held in the Duchy.”
The last time a major cycling event came to Penzance was May 24 and 25, 1992 when the Milk Race began with a prologue in the town followed by a team time trial between Land’s End and Penzance.
Though he would go on to become the only Irish overall winner of the Milk Race a fortnight later, Conor Henry got his campaign off to a notorious start by crashing on the time trial start ramp in Penzance.
Following the opening stage in Cornwall the 2021 Tour of Britain will head to Devon for a second stage between Sherford and Exeter on Monday, September 6 and then north via Wales for six more days of racing to Aberdeen.
A map showing the route for the first stage of the Tour of Britain in Cornwall
The Tour of Britain 2021 route:
• Stage One | Sunday 5 September | Penzance to Bodmin
• Stage Two | Monday 6 September | Sherford to Exeter
• Stage Three | Tuesday 7 September | Wales*
• Stage Four | Wednesday 8 September | Wales*
• Stage Five | Thursday 9 September | Cheshire* to Warrington
• Stage Six | Friday 10 September | Cumbria* to Gateshead
• Stage Seven | Saturday 11 September | Hawick to Edinburgh
• Stage Eight | Sunday 12 September | Stonehaven to Aberdeen
*To be announced summer 2021
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