Tour of Britain in Cornwall: Route, timings and road closures
Here is everything you need to know as the cycling event gets underway
The big day has finally arrived and the Tour of Britain is kicking off in Cornwall.
Stage one of the famous event will begin at 11am today (5th September) and some of the world's top riders will cycle over 180km from Penzance and end with a sprint finish in Bodmin.
The stage route will also visit St Just, St Ives, Hayle, Camborne, Pool, Redruth, Falmouth, Penryn, Truro, Newquay and St Austell.
You can view the interactive map of the Stage 1 route here.
Here are all the details you need to know:
ROAD CLOSURES A rolling road closure will be enforced on each of the stages. This means roads on and around the race route will be closed for a short period in which it takes the race to pass by – usually about 10 to 15 minutes around the estimated time of arrival and indicated by police escort vehicles.
NO PARKING The route is marked with yellow advanced warning signs in the run up to The Tour of Britain. Please don’t park on the route on the day: if necessary, vehicles may have to be removed.
LISTEN There will be an advance vehicle 15 minutes ahead of the race, keeping you up to date with what is happening in The Tour of Britain.
CAUTION Please keep children back from the edge of the road and animals on a lead, away from the roadside. Riders pass by very fast, and while we encourage support, please keep flags, objects, and photography equipment out of the road. Remember, taking selfies is fun, but turning your back on the race is never a good idea. Please always face the oncoming riders and race convoy.
POLICE The Tour of Britain is escorted along the route by trained police officers and escort motorcyclists. If you are asked to stop by an officer, please listen carefully and obey their instructions.
SUPPORT Don’t forget, this is a major international race and Britain’s largest free sporting event. So, show your support for the British heroes and the international stars who will be taking part and leave them with positive memories of the support at the Tour of Britain!
RESPECT THE RIDERS We encourage everyone to get behind the riders, but please remember this is their race. Please don’t block their route, run alongside them, or impede their progress.
You can find the route maps here.
And you can find the interactive map here
Travel advice:
Don’t forget, to enjoy the start and finish in Penzance and Bodmin, bear in mind that neither town has capacity for much inbound traffic.
In Penzance on Sunday please use the Marazion car parks, from where you can walk or cycle on the level coast path into Penzance, or use a local bus service.
If you are heading to Bodmin on Saturday or Sunday you have to opportunity to park at Bodmin Parkway Station (parking fees apply) then use the Bodmin & Wenford Railway for no charge, which will take you to right into town near the race finish line. Up to five round trip services each day. The free train seats have been sponsored by Cornwall plant-based treats makers Butterm!lk.
Or, for Bodmin on Sunday only, follow signs off the A38 roundabout beside Glynn Valley Crematorium (towards Lanhydrock) for free car parking, and a 10 minute frequency bus service from 10.00 am. Last bus back from Omaha Road at 17.58. Fares £2 single, £4 family.
Sunday 5th September 2021 – Estimated Timings:
11.00 am Penzance Western Promenade – START
11.20 am St Just (A3071) & complete length of the B3306
11.30 am Botallack
11.33 am Pendeen
11.37 am Morvah
11.48 am Zennor (1st King of the Mountain)
11.54 am Rosewall Hill (2nd King of the Mountain) / St Ives
12.02 pm Carbis Bay
12.06 pm Lelant
12.10 pm Hayle (1st Sprint – 1)
12.19 pm Gwithian
12.29 pm Barripper
12.31 pm Camborne – Basset Road & Trelowarren Street
12.41 pm Redruth – Tolgus Vean, Foundry Row, Falmouth Road
12.48 pm Penhalvean
12.52 pm Stithians
1.01 pm Longdowns
1.04 pm Mabe / Burnthouse
1.08 pm Falmouth
1.14 pm Swanpool Road, Cliff Road & Castle Drive, Melville Road, Dracena Rd
1.28 pm Penryn commercial Road (2nd Sprint)
1.34 pm Perranwell & Perranworthal
1.38 pm Carnon Downs (3rd Kind of the Mountain)
1.46 pm Truro
1.53 pm Shortlanesend
2.00 pm Zelah
2.15 pm Newquay
2.24 pm Quintrell Downs
2.43 pm St Stephen
2.53 pm St Austell
3.00 pm Bodelva Road
3.15 pm Bugle
3.24 pm Lanivet
3.33 pm Bodmin – FINISH