THREE British Olympic medal-winning cyclists will be in Powys next month as the county gears up for the return of the UK’s biggest cycle race.
Rio 2016 gold medalists Sir Bradley Wiggins and Owain Doull will be joined by silver medalist Mark Cavendish at the starting line of this year’s Tour of Britain, which starts on Sunday (Sept 4).
The trio will be heading to Powys on Wednesday (Sept 7), when the county hosts a stage finish for the first time. The Stage Four finish is being held at the Royal Welsh Showground.
Starting in Denbighshire, the peloton will face a gruelling 217km ride to the showground. When they enter Powys, they will go through Llangynog, Llanfihangel, Llwydiarth, Foel, Cemmaes, Llanbrynmair, Staylittle, Llanidloes, Rhayader, Newbridge-on-Wye, then into the showground.
Cllr Avril York, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “It is great news that these Olympic medal-winning cyclists will be heading to Powys so soon after competing at the Rio Olympic Summer Games.
“This is a great opportunity for residents along the route to cheer them on, along with the other rides, as they ride through the green heart of Wales.”
Steve Hughson, Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, said: “The final preparations here at the Royal Welsh Showground for the Tour of Britain Stage Four finish are well underway and we are very much looking forward to welcoming so many elite riders to the traditional home of welsh champions, albeit usually prize winning livestock!”
On the day of the race, the Showground will open up their large car parks from 9.30am, where people will be able to park for free, in time for the opening of the Tour of Britain’s promotional zone, which opens at 10am.
Traffic management measures will also be introduced ready for stage finish in the county. There will be a temporary road closure on the A470 between 2pm until 4.30pm from near the New Inn public house in Newbridge-on-Wye to the entrance point at the showground, known as machinery entrance.
A temporary clearway will also be in place from 9am on Monday (Sept 5) until 5pm on Wednesday (Sept 7) from Newbridge-on-Wye until the junction with the A483 at Llanelwedd. No waiting at any time will also be in force on the day of the race from 7am to 4.30pm through Newbridge-on- Wye.
A public bus service will also be suspended due to the race finishing at the Showground. The 44 service departing from 3.14pm from the Groe in Builth Wells to Llandrindod Wells via Builth Road, Caerwnon Park and Newbridge-on-Wye will be suspended.
For more information about the finish in Powys, visit www. tourofbritainpowys.co.uk and for more information about the race, visit www. tourofbritain.co.uk.
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