Tour of Britain Grand Depart

Cyclist George Atkins and Tour of Britain mascot TOBi joined Lord Provost Frank Ross at the Mercat Cross above the crossing line for the Tour of Britain Grand Depart.

It is now just under 75-days until the start of Britain’s biggest professional cycle race and details have been revealed of the  locations of the three SKODA King of the Mountains climbs that riders will tackle on their way from Edinburgh to Kelso on Sunday 3 September 2017.

The 188-kilometre stage of Britain’s national Tour will head from the heart of Edinburgh, starting on the Royal Mile outside St Giles Cathedral, to finish in Kelso’s Market Square in the Scottish Borders.

Spectators at the finish in Kelso will also have the chance to see the race twice, as the route takes in Kelso and passes through the finish line before taking on a 79-kilometre loop of the Scottish Borders.

There will be three Eisberg Sprints along the way at Gifford, Coldstream and Melrose.

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost and Veterans Champion, Frank Ross, said: “Thousands of fans are sure to be drawn to Edinburgh for the spectacular sight of the Tour of Britain Grand Depart. Cycling’s finest will set off from the Royal Mile before winding through our Old Town and towards East Lothian. We’re delighted to be hosting the first leg of the competition in Edinburgh for the very first time.”

Race Director Mick Bennett said : “We are delighted to be starting this year’s OVO Energy Tour of Britain from the very heart of Edinburgh, in what will be a first for the Tour.

“The city’s Royal Mile is a world famous location, while we have the beautiful coastline and countryside of East Lothian on route and the fantastic Scottish Borders towns and climbs on our finishing circuit, which added together will make for a varied and beautiful opening stage.”

Details of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain here,