Thousands of local residents and visitors lined the streets to support and encourage the Tour of Britain cyclists for Stage 5 of the race.
September 2022 saw the third running of the race in the borough which passed through the streets of Rushcliffe before travelling north through the county following an almost identical route to the 2018 race.
Starting in West Bridgford’s packed Central Avenue it continued through Compton Acres, Ruddington, Bradmore, Bunny, East Leake, Costock, Wysall, Keyworth, Plumtree, Normanton on the Wolds, Tollerton, Cotgrave, Cropwell Bishop, Cropwell Butler, Radcliffe-On-Trent, Shelford and on to Southwell and Clumber Park, finally finishing the 191km route in Mansfield.
Hundreds gathered at the start to welcome the 168 cyclists in 18 teams with a special reception reserved for the Great Britain squad including mascots Hassim and Tammy who received a rousing ovation. Many local school children enjoyed the occasion with a group given the opportunity to precede the race and cycle the first 1½ miles of the route. The fifth stage route totalled 118 miles, the first 50 miles of which were along the highways of Rushcliffe.
The same enthusiastic atmosphere greeted the cyclists throughout the borough with many children given a break from lessons to cheer on their favourite teams who were competing for the A J Bell Tour of Britain title which sadly became the final stage due to the death of our remarkable Queen Elizabeth II. The last 3 stages in Gloucestershire, Dorset and Isle of Wight were cancelled in respect.
The event which had started in Scotland 4 days earlier was finally won by Gonzalo Serrano from Spain riding for team “Movistar”.
