Excitement is building in the Suffolk cycling community as the county prepares to welcome stage seven of the Aviva Tour of Britain on Saturday.
Spreading across East Anglia on a route that meanders from Fakenham Racecourse in Norfolk to Ipswich, the Tour returns to the region for the first time since 2012.
The premier British road cycling event started its journey in Wales on Sunday and finishes on Monday on a new circuit in London, taking in many major sights in the capital.
At 225km, stage seven is the longest leg of the Tour.
From Fakenham, the course winds via Aylsham, Norwich city centre, Wymondham and Attleborough, crossing over into Thetford in Suffolk where it passes through Thetford Forest in its way to Bury St Edmunds and then, through scenic towns and villages, onto the finish line in Ipswich.
Emma Hibbert, marketing director of Adnams, one of the major sponsors of the Tour of Britain’s East Anglian stage, said: “We are delighted that the Tour of Britain will be returning to Norfolk and Suffolk and Adnams is proud to continue to be the official beer of the race and sponsor of the East Anglian stage. We know that at every level, from recreational enthusiasts through to super fit club members, cycling is hugely popular with our customers throughout ‘Adnams country’ and beyond.”
Suffolk has hosted the Tour of Britain three times since 2010, and 2015 marks the first stage finish to be held in the county.
Councillor Tony Goldson, cabinet member for health at Suffolk County Council, said: “These major cycling events have the ability to engage and inspire communities in ways that no other event can and we have been delighted to be the only county in the UK to attract both the Women’s Tour and Tour of Britain in 2015.
“With a wealth of Olympic and world class riders taking part in the race, I would actively encourage Suffolk’s residents to come out and give them a big welcome as they pass through our towns and villages along the route.
“It is the combination of inspirational events, such as the Women’s Tour and Tour of Britain, and cycling initiatives, such as Suffolk’s Year of Cycling, that will help us to get more residents active through cycling and contributing to our ambition to make Suffolk the most active county in England.”
Be in the right place at the right time
The race gets underway from Fakenham Racecourse at 10am, with rolling road closures 15 minutes ahead of the riders, which will be lifted approximately five minutes afterwards.
The Tour then hits the village of Barnham, with road closures starting from approximately 12.40pm with a rolling road closure on the A134 west into Station Road.
Visitors to the Elveden Estate and Centre Parcs can watch from the B1106, which will be closed from around 12.50pm.
This is followed by the first YodelDirect sprint of the stage through Fornham St Martin and onto Bury St Edmunds.
Angel Hill is one of the most popular viewing points so arrive early to get a good position. Road closure begins at Station Hill at 1.13pm, Angel Hill at 1.16pm and then Mount Road at 1.20pm. On street parking will be limited and parking is suspended on Angel Hill. The council recommends using car parks at Parkway, Ram Meadow or St Andrews.
Cyclists are expected in Drinkstone at 1.50pm then Onehouse at 2pm with rolling road closures in place as they pass through Stowmarket at 2.05pm (Stowmarket Town Council is hosting a family event at the Rec in Gipping Way on the day), along Gipping Way at the A1308 onto the B1113 Needham Road, passing through Needham High Street at about 2.14pm with the second YodelDirect sprint of the stage. The church of St John the Baptist in Needham Market will be open for coffee and cake.
From Needham the Tour turns to Barking Tye at around 2.20pm when the second SKODA King of the Mountains climb will take place past the common. SKODA is offering free refreshments and cakes for spectators along this stretch, as well as free puncture repair kits for spectators travelling to the events. Limited parking is available at the Barking Fox and village hall.
Great Bricett is the next destination and on to Wattisham Airfield at around 2.26pm where there will be no public access.
The Tour leaves Airfield Crash Gate 5, turning left onto Crowfield Road and then right onto the B1078.
From then on cyclists visit Bildeston (2.39pm), Semer (2.44pm), Hadleigh High Street (2.51pm), East Bergholt (3.04pm) and Brantham (3.11pm).
Riders enter Ipswich from the B1456 via Wherstead Road between 3pm and 3.30pm along Haws Street, Vernon Street, Burrell Road and Princes Street with the final sprint towards the finishing line by the Willis building.
See more from the Tour of Britain including early results here
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