Mansfield is to play a major part in the country’s biggest cycling event for a second successive year.

The town will be the finish point for the seventh stage of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain cycle race on Saturday, 8th September.

The biggest free-to-attend sporting event will see cyclists start in West Bridgford and pass through Southwell, Retford, Worksop and Hucknall before riding into Mansfield.

The route this year will take in key Nottinghamshire landmarks such as the new Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre at Edwinstowe, Newstead Abbey, Clumber Park and Trent Bridge Cricket Ground.

Last year Mansfield was the starting point for a stage, bringing thousands of people into the town and showcasing the area to a global television audience of millions.

The Mayor of Mansfield, Kate Allsop, said: “We are very pleased and proud that Mansfield has been chosen as a host for the second year in a row — this time for the exciting finish.

“As it is on a Saturday, we hope this will enable even more people than last year to line the streets and provide a huge welcome for the cyclists as they make their way to the finish line.

“There will be plenty of ways you can get involved — from decorating your home or business and entering competitions, to enjoying the cycling-themed entertainment at our summer festivals — so keep an eye out for more information nearer the time.

“We hope you will join us to show the world the very best that Mansfield has to offer.”

Last year’s successful event attracted 210,000 supporters across Nottinghamshire on the day — one of the biggest turn-outs on the eight-stage race across the UK.

The race boosted the Nottinghamshire economy by more than £3.4m.

Coun Kay Cutts, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council said: “We are absolutely delighted that the race will be returning to our great county, and will take in every district, including the city area.

“Last year’s event was a fantastic day and showed that Nottinghamshire has what it takes to host a sporting event of this scale.

“We hope even more residents and visitors will turn out in force to experience the fantastic event this year — and let’s hope the county reaps even bigger economic benefits.”

Mick Bennett, Tour of Britain race director, added: “The turnout for the Nottinghamshire stage last year was incredible.

“The viewing figures for ITV4 show that Stage Four was popular with the audience at home too, with half a million people tuning in to watch the highlights – the highest ratings of any of the other seven highlight shows.
“We are delighted to be returning to Nottinghamshire as this year’s route makes it seem like a completely different county.

“We are taking in a lot of new areas, approaching a significant part of 2017’s route from the opposite direction as well as having hillier sections this time.”

An economic impact report, commissioned by national Tour of Britain organisers, showed that the spend on food and drink was by far the biggest contributor to the local economy last time (almost £1.13m) followed by accommodation costs (£611k).

More than 39 per cent of those who turned out to watch the race travelled from outside the county — attracting around 81,000 visitors to Nottinghamshire.