IT'S just two weeks until the Tour of Britain comes to town.

Carlisle has close links with the UK's biggest cycle race, having been used as a starting location five times.

The county of Cumbria, meanwhile, will welcome the race for a third consecutive year, marking its 11th appearance in the Tour.

The 2021 Tour is welcoming top riders including the UK's Mark Cavendish and the brilliant French world road champion Julian Alaphilippe.

Here's a quick rundown of what you need to know and where you need to be:

  • Stage six of the Tour will leave Carlisle from Devonshire Walk at 10.45am on Friday, September 10, with the race proper beginning at Dalston Road at 11am
  • The 198km stage will wind south to Penrith before turning east, over the Pennines to Gateshead
  • The total elevation over the stage will be a hefty 3,044 metres - more than twice the height of Ben Nevis
  • The riders are estimated to roll over the finish line by the Angel of the North in Gateshead at around 4pm

Check out this route map, or click here to see a more detailed map on the Tour of Britain website.

For spectators, here's a quick indication of when the Tour will reach each point of the Cumbria portion of the Stage. These timings are of course approximate! For a more complete stage timetable, click here.

Start, Devonshire Walk, Carlisle - 10:45
Start Proper, B5299 Dalston Road, Carlisle - 11:00
Welton - 11:13
Sebergham - 11.18
Unthank - 11:36
Greystoke - 11:44
Motherby (Sprint) - 11:48
Matterdale End - 11:57
Dockray - 12:00
Ullswater (A592) - 12.01
Watermillock - 12:09
Pooley Bridge - 12:17
Tirril - 12:22
Yanwath - 12:25
Roundabout onto the A6 - 12.27
Penrith (Sprint) - 12:30
Fair Hill - 12:32
Langwathby - 12:42
Melmerby - 12:49
Hartside Pass (Mountain) - 12:53
Alston - 13:16
Nenthead - 13:26

Road closures

As in previous years, there will be a rolling road closure system in place for the Tour. See the route guide above to find out when roads are likely to be closed in your area.

Teams

The world’s top three teams will be among the 18 squads competing in this year’s Tour of Britain, the 17th edition of the UK’s leading bike race.

News and Star: Team jerseys for the Tour of Britain 2021. Picture: Tour of BritainTeam jerseys for the Tour of Britain 2021. Picture: Tour of Britain

INEOS Grenadiers, Deceuninck Quick-Step and Team Jumbo Visma are among the seven UCI World Teams – along with Israel Start-Up Nation, Movistar Team, Team DSM and Team Qhubeka NextHash – who will take part in the eight-day event.

Mick Bennett, Tour of Britain race director, said: “What a race we have in store for us this September!

"Once again, we’ve attracted the world’s biggest teams to the Tour of Britain, and I know they’re going to put on a show for the home fans and our worldwide TV audience.

"Combined with those British domestic teams we’ve invited, who always ride fearlessly and get stuck in, I really cannot wait for the racing to begin now!”

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Tour organisers have said that in line with Covid protocols this year, fans should note that there will be no public access to the team paddock at starts/finishes in 2021.