Tour of Britain reaches Bucks and Beds
The third stage will see athletes set off from Milton Keynes, to reach Ampthill
The third stage of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men is today starting from Milton Keynes and will be reaching Ampthill in Central Bedfordshire.
Britain’s biggest professional cycle race returns to Milton Keynes for the first time since 2008, with riders setting off from outside the MK Gallery and Milton Keynes Theatre on Midsummer Boulevard at 11:30.
The route will wound through Woburn, Toddington, Shefford, and other towns before the finish on Woburn Road, Ampthill, at approximately 14:40.
For Ampthill and Central Bedfordshire, this will mark the first time hosting a Tour of Britain stage finish.
Among those making the trip to catch a glimpse of the Tour was Marco Paganucci, a cycling fan from St Albans who travelled to watch the start.
A lifelong enthusiast of the sport, he said: “It’s just it’s good for your health, it gets you out in the fresh air, gets you to places that you wouldn’t ordinarily go to, and I just find it very refreshing.”
Mr Paganucci also felt that the Tour can have an impact on local communities.
He added: “People see it on the TV. I mean, it’s the beauty of the Tour de France. - it’s a showcase for all the places it goes through, so it should happen here as well.”
As well as seeing the action on Midsummer Boulevard, spectators will be able to catch a glimpse along the route, wherever it is safe to watch, and many local people will be getting a front row view to cheer on the world-class cyclists as they pass by businesses and schools as well as homes.
Milton Keynes Council reassured the public around potential danger, assuring that the race uses what’s known as ‘rolling road closures’ where roads will close for a short period when the race passes through, minimising any dangers to athletes, officials, spectators and local people.
The finish line in Ampthill will bw alongside the town’s Great Park, where a big screen will be displaying the live race coverage all day, along with a fan zone and several activities.