World-class road cycling will return to the Scottish Borders in 2022 when the area hosts the prestigious Tour of Britain and Tour Series events.
Galashiels will welcome Britain’s leading male and female cyclists for the first time when it hosts the Tour Series, the fun, free and family-friendly cycling event, on Wednesday 4 May.
The town will host round two of the UK’s leading televised cycle race series. It will be the first time that the event has come to the Borders.
About the Tour Series
The Tour Series takes place in town and city centres across the UK.
Launched in 2009, the series sees Britain’s best male and female riders compete against each other in a unique, team-based format as part of a full day of sporting and community-focused activities.
British sporting heroes Laura Kenny, Tom Pidcock, Dani Rowe, Joanna Rowsell, Ed Clancy, Elinor Barker and Katie Archibald have all competed in the series during its history, during which time nearly two million fans have watched a round.
More information about the Tour Series Galashiels event, including information for local business and residents, is available on our website.
World's best riders to return in September
Stage two of the Tour of Britain – the UK’s most prestigious cycle race – will then take place solely within the Scottish Borders on Monday 5 September.
The Borders have previously welcomed the race on eight occasions, including a stage start in Hawick last year, as well as a stage that started and finished in Kelso in 2019.
Both events are organised by SweetSpot, the award-winning company who are also behind the Women’s Tour cycle race.
Mick Bennett, Tour of Britain and Tour Series race director
“Few places lend themselves more to cycling than the Scottish Borders, owing to the mix of historic, unforgettable towns and stunning countryside roads. To be able to take the Tour Series there for the first time and return with the Tour of Britain once again shows the appetite for our world-famous events in the area. My gratitude goes out to everybody at the Scottish Borders Council for their continued support, dedication and passion.”
Sam Smith, Scottish Borders Council’s Chief Officer for Economic Development
“We are delighted to be able to bring back the Tour of Britain to the Borders again this year, and to be hosting a round of the televised Tour Series for the first time too.
“These will be fantastic occasions for the area and will bring in visitors and provide great exposure for the Borders, further strengthening our position as Scotland’s leading cycling destination.
“I’d like to thank our partners Live Borders and Energise Galashiels for their support in bringing the Tour Series to Galashiels and their commitment to help make it an amazing event for the community and visitors.”
Town centre route
Galashiels will become the sixth Scottish host venue in Tour Series history, with this new-for-2022 round taking place on a technical circuit that starts and finishes adjacent to the idyllic Bank Street gardens.
Riders will also pass by the Burgh Chambers and War Memorial, and the Great Tapestry of Scotland Visitor Centre during the one-kilometre (0.7mi) lap that twists its way through the town known locally as Gala. Initial information for local residents and businesses can be found on our website.
Highlights of both the men’s and women’s Tour Series races will once again be broadcast on ITV4.
Tour of Britain
More details of the Tour of Britain’s return to the Borders – including the start and finish locations, and full stage route – will be unveiled on Wednesday 6 April.
ITV4 will continue to broadcast live flag-to-flag coverage of every stage, as well as a nightly highlights show, allowing fans in the UK to watch wherever they are. The race will also be shown in over 150 countries worldwide, in part thanks to the event’s partnerships with Eurosport and the Global Cycling Network.
Last year’s star-studded race was won by Belgian rider Wout Van Aert (Team Jumbo – Visma), with reigning world road race champion Julian Alaphilippe finishing third overall. A roadside crowd of over one million spectators resulted in the Tour of Britain generating £29.96m of net economic benefit for the UK economy, according to research by Frontline.
With the cycling industry enjoying a continued boom in the UK, there are a range of sponsorship opportunities available with the Tour of Britain and Tour Series for 2022. Packages range from the title partnership of the events to sponsorship of individual classifications, daily awards, and digital and broadcast opportunities. Visit the SweetSpot website for more information.
More information
About the Tour of Britain
Relaunched in 2004 after a five-year absence from the calendar, the Tour of Britain is British Cycling’s premier road cycling event, held annually across eight days in September.
The free-to-watch sporting spectacular features Olympic, world and Tour de France champions, and attracts a roadside audience of over 1.5m spectators. Live coverage of the race is shown daily in the UK on ITV4, in addition to around the world. The Tour of Britain is part of the UCI ProSeries, making it one of the most prestigious sporting events in the sport’s global calendar.
Follow the Tour of Britain on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or via the event’s official website at tourofbritain.co.uk.