Event information
The opening stage of this year’s Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men starts and finishes in Kelso and is entirely contained within the Scottish Borders.
Race route
The 181.9-kilometre (113.1-mile) route is particularly spectator friendly thanks to the inclusion of a loop, which means the riders will pass through a number of communities twice, including Melrose, and over the Dingleton and Scott's View climbs twice. A map of the route can be viewed online.
From Kelso the race will first head east alongside the River Tweed to Coldstream, turning north and west via Greenlaw, Gordon and Smailholm to the first ascent of the scenic viewpoint of Scott’s View.
The 2.5 kilometre climb averages 2.5%, and is followed within 10 kilometres by the tougher 6.2% average gradient of the two kilometre climb of Dingleton, in the Eildon Hills above Melrose.
The route continues south to Denholm, climbing Dunion Hill (three kilometres at 5.4%) and descending into Jedburgh before returning to Kelso alongside the River Teviot.
Riders will then repeat the intermediate sprint in Melrose and the King of the Mountains climbs at Scott’s View and Dingleton, the latter coming with just under 23 kilometres of racing remaining, to set up a thrilling chase back to the cobbled finish in Kelso.
The stage will also feature three intermediate sprints, where time bonuses and points for the sprinters jersey are available, the first coming in Melrose after 75 kilometres of racing, and the second in Kelso (128km) on the first passage of the finish line with just over an hour of the stage remaining. The Melrose sprint will then be tackled for a second time after 156 kilometres.
Fringe events and activities
Fringe activities and events are currently being planned, which will include an event in Kelso the evening prior to the race, events and activities throughout the day in Kelso on race day, and also activities in Melrose on race day.
Details of these will be published here in due course and publicised through a range of channels.