Suffolk routes revealed for opening phases of Lloyds Tour of Britain Men » East Suffolk Council

Posted by on 6 August 2025 | Comments

The two stage routes that can open this yr’s Lloyds Tour of Britain Men in East Suffolk and Mid Suffolk and Babergh, have at present been revealed, that can see the world’s prime cyclists cross by dozens of communities and canopy greater than 300 kilometres of Suffolk roads.

Tuesday 2 September will see riders getting underway from Woodbridge in East Suffolk, and going through a 161.4-kilometre (100.4-mile) stage to Southwold, the primary time that the opening stage of Britain’s greatest skilled males’s cycle race has been held in Suffolk since 2012.

From the beginning in Woodbridge at 11am, riders will initially head west, earlier than looping again round by Grundisburgh, Wickham Market, and Rendlesham, earlier than passing the well-known Snape Maltings to succeed in the Suffolk coast at Aldeburgh.

Running alongside the ocean to Thorpeness, the route then turns inland, weaving by Saxmundham and Framlingham, to the day’s intermediate dash on Walpole Road in Halesworth. 

The stage will attain its northernmost level at Bungay, routing again in the direction of Southwold by way of Beccles, Wrentham and Reydon, for the end on North Parade in Southwold, which is predicted at round 3.05pm.

Full Stage One route map

For the primary time ever, Suffolk will host two phases of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men in the identical version, with Mid Suffolk District Council and neighbouring Babergh District Council internet hosting a stage beginning and ending in Stowmarket on Wednesday 3 September.

The 169.3-kilometre (105.3-mile) leg will depart from Ipswich Street within the city centre at 11:00, leaving in the direction of Stowupland and Forward Green. The route takes in Debenham and Bedfield, earlier than the intermediate dash in Stradbroke after 40 kilometres of racing.

Crossing Mid Suffolk to Eye and Thurston, the race turns south to Felsham and into Babergh for a southern loop taking in Lavenham, Sudbury, and the Dedham Vale National Landscape, earlier than turning again for the run in the direction of Stowmarket and the end on Ipswich Street round 15:15.

Stage two additionally consists of the primary designated king of the mountains climb of the race, Semer Hill, simply after Hadleigh, within the closing kilometres of the race.

Cllr Seamus Bennett, East Suffolk Council’s assistant cupboard member, stated: “We are thrilled to be supporting the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men when it returns to East Suffolk subsequent month. Hosting Stage One of the Tour, from Woodbridge to Southwold, is especially thrilling. The race will cross by a lot of our cities and villages, and we all know that residents, companies and guests can be out lining the route and displaying their assist for this main sporting occasion, which immediately advantages native communities and as soon as once more places our stunning district on the map.”

Cllr Andy Mellen, chief of Mid Suffolk District Council stated: “We are delighted that the Tour will be going through the heart of our county. I know our communities along the route will be out in force to cheer the riders on and show an international audience what our district has to offer.”

Cllr John Ward, Babergh District Council chief stated: “As well as offering a thrilling climb, our section of the route allows us to share the unique charm of Babergh’s historic towns and villages as well as landscapes that have inspired some of our nation’s most renowned artists. We hope it will make for spectacular viewing.”

Commenting on the announcement of the detailed routes, Jonathan Day, Managing Director for British Cycling Events, stated; “This is the information that followers have been wanting ahead to, and with a month to go till the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men will get underway, we’re delighted to be sharing the thrilling element of all six routes.

“Following the announcement of the fantastic line-up of teams for the race, fans can now start planning exactly where they will be watching their heroes and cheering them on in September. We have worked hard with our stakeholders across all six stages to create this great route that will build to a real climax as we reach Wales, with the racing for the green jersey sure to go all the way down to the finish line on North Road in Cardiff.”

Following the 2 Suffolk phases, subsequent legs of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men absorb Milton Keynes and a primary go to to Ampthill in Central Bedfordshire, earlier than a difficult Warwickshire stage ending in a hilltop end at Burton Dassett Hills Country Park.

The race concludes with a brace of difficult phases in south Wales, the primary together with a double ascent of The Tumble, earlier than a ultimate stage between the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales in Newport to the Welsh capital, Cardiff, on Sunday 7 September.