The Tour of Britain returns to Worcester

Stage 4 - Wednesday 10th September 2008

The Tour of Britain, the UK’s largest professional bike race, came to Worcester for the second year after the success of the Stage 3 start in 2007.

Tour of Britain movie

Wednesday 10th September saw over 100 of the world’s top professional riders, including several representatives from the British Olympic squad, set off from Worcester Racecourse at 10am for the 156.5km gruelling race before reaching the stage finish in Stoke-on-Trent.

Councillor Derek Prodger MBE, Worcestershire County Council's Cabinet Member for the Environment, said:  “It is with great delight that I heard that the Tour of Britain returned to Worcestershire for the second time and I am glad that 2008 proved to be as successful as last year. The Tour of Britain headed through the heart of Worcester giving residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular sight.“

Tour of Britain Route Director Graham Jones said: “Stage 4 was a tough stage for the riders.  The first half of the stage was over rolling roads, familiar to use from Stage Three of last years race.  Then we get to the two E·ON King of the Mountains climbs at Jiggers Bank and the Saddle of the Wrekin, which was a key moment of the stage.”

Stage 4 departed from Worcester before heading north along the Severn Valley via Bewdley. Outside Bewdley, the riders faced the first of the three E·ON King of the Mountains climbs on the stage, at High Habberley. The route then leaved Worcestershire and headed north to Wolverhampton, swinging west to Ironbridge and Coalport Bank through the second Hot Spot Sprint at Bedlam.

Two E·ON King of the Mountains climbs followed in quick succession at Jiggers Bank and the Saddle of the Wrekin, These two climbs shaped the nature of the days stage, making them great locations for spectators to watch The Tour of Britain come past.  

The race then crossed the A5 at Wellington on its way to Newport, Eccleshall and the Sow Valley. The final Hot Spot Sprint of the day was in Stone, before the race passed through Barlaston as the rider’s geared up for the exciting finish in Hanley, one of the six towns of Stoke-on-Trent.

The winner was Norwegian rider Edval Boasson Hagen (Team Columbia).

• Further route information visit www.tourofbritain.co.uk
• View the Tour of Britain interactive map