The route for the 2017 Tour of Britain has been announced, with organisers putting the focus on the sprinters and rouleurs. After searching out tougher summit finishes over the past four years, the race steers away from them altogether this season. Instead, the route is much more undulating and will feature several circuit finishes to allow spectators to see the riders more than once.
"We introduced summit finishes for the first time in 2013, this year we are giving a chance to the sprinters and rouleurs in the OVO Energy Tour of Britain," said race director Mick Bennett. "Following the success of the Tatton Park finish last year we have introduced several finishing circuits, this will add a new dimension for both the sprinter's teams, who will get to see the finish beforehand, and the fans as a whole who will enjoy the spectacle of the race twice."
Most of the stages will be shorter than their counterparts from last year, but with no final-day time trial, the race's total length is set to be 15km longer at 1,310km.
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The race will begin in Edinburgh for the first time and ventures away from its traditional split-stage finish in London, opting for a 180km open stage into the centre of Cardiff. This year's race will be the first under the new title sponsor Ovo Energy, which recently penned a deal with the Tour of Britain and the Women's Tour.
Stage 1 sets out from the Scottish capital on Sunday, September 3, and travels along the coast before turning south towards the finish in Kelso, passing through the finish line before taking in a loop of the area and back to the finish. Both cities featured in the 2015 Tour of Britain, with Elia Viviani taking victory at Floors Castle in Kelso.
The race will cross the border into England for stage 2 as the riders head from Kielder Water and Forrest Park in Northumberland to the finish in Blythe. Blyth is another town that featured in the 2015 race, and it was Fernando Gaviria who came up trumps on that occasion while he rode as a trainee for the Etixx-QuickStep squad. With a relatively flat finish, it's likely to be another bunch gallop. At 211km, it will be the longest stage of the race.
2017 Tour of Britain
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