Tour of Britain returns to Carmarthenshire with exciting time trial event

Carmarthenshire is to host the Tour of Britain, a major road cycling race, for the third time.

An exciting team time trial will take place in the spectacular Tywi Valley, finishing in the iconic National Botanic Garden of Wales, on September 7.

It will be the third stage of the race, which will see the world’s top cyclists compete in iconic locations throughout the UK.

Carmarthenshire has made a name for itself on the map of elite world cycling events, hosting the 2018 Tour of Britain’s opening stage, and the final stage of the OVO Energy Women’s Tour in 2019.

Carmarthenshire County Council is working with event organisers to finalise plans for the time trial which will see some of the world’s best cyclists race through the Tywi Valley – most of them fresh from competing in the world-famous Tour de France.

Cyclists will start stage three in Ffairfach near Llandeilo, racing for 27.5km through the Tywi Valley before crossing the finish line at the National Botanic Garden of Wales in Llanarthne.

For the council it is further evidence that the county has cemented its status as the ‘cycling hub of Wales’ and strengthens its plan to support more people to get fit and active through cycling, whilst growing the local cycling tourism economy.

Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths, Executive Board Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said: “We have made no secret of our ambition for Carmarthenshire to become the Cycling Hub of Wales, and being chosen yet again to host a stage of the Tour of Britain shows that we are now the premiere location for cycling in Wales.

“With both vision and investment, we are delivering for local people enjoying cycling for leisure or travel, bringing tourists in to enjoy our scenic locations and supporting our economy, and attracting the world’s top cyclists in major televised events.

“We are delighted to welcome the Tour of Britain for the third time and look forward to an event that we know inspires people of all abilities to get on their bike.”

Details of stage three of the Tour of Britain – including the full route, sprint locations, and timetables – will be announced over the coming weeks. Follow @carmscouncil on social media.