Just one day remains until streets in Suffolk are lined with flag-waving cycling fans eagerly awaiting the Tour of Britain’s arrival.

Some of the world’s top riders, including Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish, are due to be among the field as the race snakes through the county.

Competitors will be welcomed to Suffolk as they enter Barnham, close to the border with Norfolk, at about 12.55pm.

From there, they will continue the penultimate, and longest leg of the 2015 race – starting in Fakenham, passing through the centre of Norwich, before crossing into Suffolk for the finish in Ipswich town centre.

Covering a distance of 227.4 kilometres, with climbs totalling 1,717 metres, the route will enter Suffolk via Thetford, racing on to Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket, Needham Market, Hadleigh, East Bergholt and Ipswich.

The Suffolk leg of the tour finishes at the junction between Princes Street and Civic Drive outside the Willis building. The section also includes hill climb stages at Brantham Hill and Barking Tye.

It will be the seventh of eight days’ racing, with cyclists moving onto London for the grand finale the following day.

Suffolk County Council’s health chief, Tony Goldson said: “Excitement is building across Suffolk as we get ready to welcome the Tour of Britain back to our county. We are a county of cycling enthusiasts and I know there will be plenty of people keen to watch the race.

Ipswich Buses will be offering a £1 discount on adult and group tickets on park and ride services for those travelling to see the finish tomorrow. Managing director, Jeremy Cooper said: “Buses and bicycles are complimentary parts of sustainable transport and we are pleased to support access to the town centre for this exciting event.”

Mr Goldson added:“The route the race takes as it makes its way to the finish line in Ipswich will see some of the roads around the town temporary closed. This will inevitably have an impact on traffic.

“It’s great that Ipswich Buses have been able to offer the discount for passengers using the park and ride services, as it is an extra incentive for people to make their way to the finish line in Ipswich, whilst avoiding traffic in the town centre.”

Ipswich Borough councillor and keen cyclist, Alasdair Ross took part in both the Crafted Classique and the Sky Ride, which started and finished in the town in August.

He said: “The Tour, and with it some of the world’s best riders, will be coming into Ipswich at the end of the penultimate stage and also at the end of a fantastic summer of cycling.

“I’m sure that many people across town and the county will cheer the riders on as they approach the finish line.”

Travel advice

While the race is underway, rolling road blocks will be in place and local road users are being advised to expect short delays.

The following roads will be closed in Ipswich, with diversions in place, from 12.01am until 11.59pm on Saturday:

Civic Drive from Elm Street

Franciscan Way from Wolsey Street

Princes Street from Grafton Way

Princes Street from Friars Street

Burrell Road will be closed from the NCP car park through to Station Bridge from 3pm-3.45pm. Diversions to access the train station will be in place but allow extra time to catch any trains.

Parking will be suspended on sections of the following roads from 5pm today until 5pm tomorrow:

Needham Market, High Street (B1113)

Bildeston, High Street (B1115)

Hadleigh, Gallows Hill, Bridge Street and High Street (B1070)

East Bergholt, The Street

Holbrook, Ipswich Road

Ipswich, Wherstead Road

For more details see our Tour of Britain page

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