The globally televised race, featuring top flight cyclists, is back in Mansfield on Thursday, 8th September and is expected to be watched by thousands of people lining the route in the area.

Local riders Ross Lamb (pictured), from Mansfield, and Ollie Peckover, from Ruddington, who both cycle for the Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycle team, are expected to be among the 114 competitors among the19 teams taking part.

After successfully hosting a stage start of the Tour of Britain in 2017 and a stage finish in 2018, Mansfield District Council will again host the festival finish for Stage Five of the race in Chesterfield Road Park.

This time, Stage Five of the race passes through 118 miles (191km) of Nottinghamshire, including 8.8 miles (14km) through Warsop, Mansfield Woodhouse, Forest Town and other neighbourhoods close to Mansfield town centre.

A Tour of Britain village and festival will open at 11am in Chesterfield Road Park with big screen coverage of the race, have-a-go BMX track, cycling themed family entertainment for the crowds and a nail biting finish-line dash for local schools to take part in. There will be food and drinks, as well as stalls.

Stage Five will set off from West Bridgford and enter Mansfield district from the B6034 from Edwinstowe with the first riders expected to cross the finish line outside the Civic Centre around 3.15pm. The full route can be seen at the copuncil’s Tour of Britain hub https://www.mansfield.gov.uk/TOB.

Local people and business are being encouraged to decorate their properties and gardens in the run-up to the race as well as cheer the cyclists on as they pass by.

Among the best places to watch the race safely are the wide grass verge along the A60 at Mansfield Woodhouse and at Old Mill Lane, and along the wide pavements in Forest Town along Sherwood Hall Road.

Schoolchildren will also be able see the race on their doorstep as it passes by Asquith Primary and The Samworth Church Academy in Mansfield and Sherwood Junior School in Warsop.

Executive mayor Andy Abrahams said: “It’s fantastic that Mansfield is again the focus of an event which is watched by millions around the globe.

“We hope local people will help show the world how well we can fly the flag for the Tour of Britain cyclists and put on a ‘spoke-tacular’ event.

“The festival will be a fun family occasion so mark it in the diary and come along to support Team Mansfield!”

Mike Bennett, Tour of Britain race director, said: “We are looking forward to returning to Nottinghamshire and Mansfield this September with the Tour of Britain.

“Our past two visits to the county have seen the race receive a tremendous welcome from the community so we are sure that this 8 September will be no different and it is fantastic to see people already making their plans for how to celebrate the race.”

Road closures

Rolling road closures will be in place along the entire route from Warsop to the Civic Centre in Mansfield from 2pm. Most routes will reopen as soon as the peloton has passed through but motorists should expect short delays on the day.

Chesterfield Road South will be closed in both directions from the A6009 Rosemary Street to Pheasant Hill from 4.45am to 8pm. Residents and businesses in that area are being contacted by Mansfield District Council so that arrangements can be made to allow for limited access until around 2pm.

From 2pm, a section of Chesterfield Road Road near to Tesco will also close until 3.30pm. Traffic management will be in place and diversions will be sign posted.

Residents living in the town centre road closure areas will receive an information pack from the council within the next week.

Where to see the tour from 2.30pm

Warsop: Forest Road and Sherwood Street
Mansfield Woodhouse: A60 and Leeming Lane South
Forest Town: Old Mill Lane and Sherwood Hall Road
Racecourse Ward: Carter Lane
Newgate Ward: Rock Hill and Ratcliffe Gate
Portland Ward: St Peter’s Way and Chesterfield Road South.

Competitions 

Once again, communities are urged to embrace the international event by transforming their towns and villages with bunting, flags, yellow bikes, and creative displays to celebrate the sporting spectacular as it passes through our county.

Landowners can also get into the spirit of the Tour by taking part in a national land art competition, to turn fields, hills, gardens, or any open spaces into unusual art displays.

The tradition of creating huge pieces of art visible from above for television cameras during bike races has long been celebrated and race organisers have again launched a competition to find the most eye-catching.

Schools and nurseries can download a schools pack from the county council’s website too.

For more go to www.mansfield.gov.uk/TOB.