The Nottinghamshire stage of the prestigious Tour of Britain cycle race will once again finish in Mansfield.

Residents, businesses and schools are being invited to decorate the route and line the streets to cheer on the world’s top teams and cyclists on Thursday, 8th September.

Pictured at The Carrs in Warsop are the cyclists Ollie Peckover (left) and Ross Lamb of Mansfield (right) with MDC’s Head of People and Transformation James Biddlestone, ToBi the mascot and Executive Mayor of Mansfield Andy Abrahams.

The fifth stage, which will start in West Bridgford, will go through Ravenshead, Blidworth, Southwell, Retford and Worksop before entering the Mansfield district via Market Warsop and then heading to Mansfield Woodhouse, Forest Town and through parts of Mansfield town centre.

The finish will again be outside Mansfield’s Civic Centre, however the cyclists will travel from the opposite direction to which Team Sky rider Ian Stannard approached it on his memorable solo victory in 2018. The Civic Centre site will host the Tour of Britain village and a Festival Finale event.

Ross Lamb, of Mansfield, is scheduled to be one of the 114 riders expected to take part. Ross, along with Ollie Peckover, of Ruddington, competes for the Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling team.

Ross said the finish line was just minutes away from his house and he would benefit from local knowledge as the route covers his training roads.

“I’m really looking forward to doing it. After the last couple of years of Covid-19 it’s something for everyone in the region to look forward to and shout about,” he said.

The 190km route of the fifth stage – approximately 118 miles – will also take in key county landmarks and attractions such as world-famous cricket ground Trent Bridge, the legendary Sherwood Forest and popular tourist attraction Clumber Park.

The Mayor of Mansfield, Andy Abrahams, said: “What an honour it will be to see the Tour of Britain returning to Nottinghamshire this year and yet another festival finale here in Mansfield.

“We’ve worked with the Tour of Britain team to take the route through some of our priority neighbourhoods so that more of our communities can experience the thrill of the race.

“If you live in Market Warsop, Mansfield Woodhouse, Racecourse, Newgate or Portland wards then you are in for a treat! Get out on to your pavement and see the riders whizzing through your streets before it heads back to the town centre finish line.

“We’re able to support the hosting of the Tour of Britain with help from the Towns Fund Destination Mansfield project, which looks to reposition Mansfield as a place to live, work and visit. This is the first activity in a three-year plan to help improve the image and reputation of the district and put us well and truly on the map as an event-friendly town.”

Michael Robinson, Interim Co-CEO, said: “Mansfield will no doubt be ready to give the Tour the warmest of welcomes this September. The race will pass by more schools, more villages and more businesses than in previous years, so the community can experience the tour in their neighbourhood.

“We’ll be encouraging everyone to dress their buildings and line the streets to cheer on the riders. It’ll be an electric not-to-be-missed atmosphere once more.

“Mansfield will be seen on TV by millions of viewers around the world so this is a great opportunity to raise our profile globally.”

Coun Andy Burgin, portfolio holder for Leisure and Environment, said: “As a Warsop councillor I couldn’t be happier to see the route entering Mansfield via our village this time around. What an opportunity it will be for people living and working in Warsop to experience a global event like this on their doorstep. For some it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and something they’ll never forget.”

A global television audience of millions will watch the world-famous race, with the Nottinghamshire stage attracting 250,000 spectators in 2018 to make it the largest sporting event in the county’s history.

It led to our area enjoying an economic boost, with £3.9m being spent by participants and spectators on accommodation, food and drink and shopping.

The Nottinghamshire stage four years ago also started in West Bridgford and finished in Mansfield.

Mick Bennett, Tour of Britain Race Director said: “We are pleased to be able to confirm the route for this year’s Nottinghamshire stage and look forward to making returns to both West Bridgford and Mansfield, as well as many familiar locations along the way.

“The support of Nottinghamshire communities along the stage route in both 2017 and 2018 was incredible, so with150 days to go until the race I hope that today’s news will inspire everyone along the route to get excited and to start making their plans for 8 September.”

The modern-day Tour of Britain was launched in 2004 and – apart from the Covid-19 pandemic forcing its cancellation in 2020 – has taken place annually every September over eight days.

Live coverage of the race is shown daily in the UK on ITV4, in addition to around the world.

The Tour of Britain is part of the UCI ProSeries, making it one of the most prestigious sporting events in the sport’s global calendar.

Visit a Tour of Britain webpage for more information about this year’s race.

Detailed information on the route and travel restrictions will be published nearer the time.