Wales to host final stages of prestigious Tour of Britain
The prestigious event will see the world's best cyclists battling it out, with the rugged climbs of south Wales providing a stern test.
The stages, on September 6, and 7, will feature routes through Pontypool, Newport, and Cardiff, with the notable ascent of The Tumble, near Abergavenny.
This is expected to be the final race for INEOS Grenadiers rider, Geraint Thomas.
For the first time, Pontypool will see the start of stage five on September 6.
The route will navigate through Monmouthshire, concluding with a double climb of The Tumble.
The final stage on September 7 kicks off at the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales in Newport.
It will cut across the undulating landscapes of south Wales, passing Maindy Velodrome, before finishing in the heart of Cardiff city centre.
This follows the successful hosting of the Lloyds National Road Championships in Aberaeron and Aberystwyth in June, under a three-year agreement between the Welsh Government and British Cycling.
Jack Sargeant, Welsh government minister responsible for sport, said: "We're excited to welcome the Men's Tour of Britain back to Wales once again, an event we have proudly supported over a number of years.
"The Tour has found a successful home in Wales, and each time it returns it showcases our cities, towns, communities and landscapes to an international audience, as well as attracting athletes from all over the world."
A double climb of The Tumble will prove a stern test (Image: Zac Williams/SWpix.com) September will mark the second time that Cardiff has hosted the overall finish of the Lloyds Tour of Britain Men, having done so in 2017, and only the third time in the modern race's 21-year history that the event has finished in Wales.
Jonathan Day, managing director of British Cycling Events, said: "Wales has provided some of the most iconic moments in Lloyds Tour of Britain history over the years, and this September will be no different.
"The Lloyds Tour of Britain Men never fails to draw a crowd in south Wales, and with the four fantastic locations and two stages falling across a weekend we are confident that this will make for a really special atmosphere and a fantastic way to round out the race, and crown our 2025 champion."
The weekend will also include an amateur event, the official Lloyds Tour of Britain Ride the Route on September 6, starting and finishing at the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales in Newport.
The full routes of both Welsh stages will be revealed later in July.
The Lloyds Tour of Britain Men begins in East Suffolk on September 2, with stages also in Suffolk, Milton Keynes, Central Bedfordshire and Warwickshire before the race arrives in Wales.
Further announcements about the participating teams and all six stage routes will be made in the coming weeks.
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