SOUTHEND has become the latest city to host the Tour of Britain cycle race as the event heads to the seaside later this year.

More than 100 of the world’s leading riders will visit the popular coastal location for the start of stage six on Friday, September 8.

Southend has never previously hosted the modern Tour, of which will be shown live in the UK on ITV4 and in more than 150 countries worldwide.

However, it has a long association with the sport, having hosted stages of the Milk Race in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.

More recently too, a stage of the Women’s Tour – the Tour of Britain’s sister race – ran from Shoebury to Southend in 2021.

Daniel Nelson, Conservative councillor responsible for economic growth and investment, welcomed the news: 

He said: “I am delighted to announce that once again Southend will welcome world class cycling, having hosted stage four of the Women’s Tour in 2021.

“The Tour of Britain is a prestigious event and will bring over 100 of the world’s best cyclists here to our city.

“The Woman’s Tour was a massive boost to our city’s economy with an increase in bookings for local hotels and restaurants and look forward to a similar economic uplift with the men’s Tour.

“We cannot wait to welcome the riders to the city as part of this fantastic event that we hope will encourage a new generation of cyclists in the area.”

The stage will take place less than two years after Southend was accorded city status by Her Majesty the Queen. Additionally, Southend Wheelers, a popular local club, is celebrating its 100th birthday in 2023.

Stage six will finish in Harlow, which will also welcome the Tour of Britain for the first time in 2023.

Mick Bennett, Tour of Britain race director, added: “We are delighted to be building upon our relationship with Southend Council by bringing the men’s Tour of Britain to Essex for the first time since 2017. 

“We look forward to the crowds turning out on a Friday morning to see the world’s top cyclists in Southend, which, in the year that the great Southend Wheelers turn 100, is a fitting tribute to the club and city.”

The Tour of Britain will begin in Greater Manchester on Sunday, September 3, and culminate eight stages later in South Wales, on Sunday, September 10.

More than one million spectators are expected to line the route of this unforgettable event.