**PRESS RELEASE**
The dates for the 2022 edition of the AJ Bell Tour of Britain have today been confirmed, with the 18th edition of Britain’s biggest professional cycle race scheduled for Sunday 4 to Sunday 11 September.
Already confirmed for the 2022 route is an overall start hosted by Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, following the success of the final stage of this year’s race, and a final stage on the Isle of Wight for the first time.
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “The Tour of Britain is a key part of EventScotland’s annual portfolio of world-class events and it is great to have it returning to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire in 2022 after the success of this year’s final stage.
“Scotland is the perfect stage for events and our long-term partnership with the Tour of Britain is the ideal platform to showcase what Scotland has to offer as we build towards host the first-ever UCI Cycling World Championships in 2023.”
Aberdeen City Council leader Councillor Jenny Laing said: “As a city we look forward with great anticipation to providing the starting point for next year’s race. The excitement of this year’s event is still being felt across the region – and the economic and cultural benefits will carry long into the future. It was a thrilling experience to be present for this year’s finish on the Beach Esplanade, among thousands of cheering spectators, savouring world-class sporting competition up close. As a council we have been building our events offering and investing in supporting infrastructure, so we can expect next year’s Tour of Britain to enjoy a flying start in Aberdeen.”
Cllr Andy Kille is the leader of Aberdeenshire Council. He said: “Aberdeenshire got behind the riders at the 2021 event in huge numbers and the positivity that the Tour of Britain created will have had lasting impacts on cycling, wellbeing, and tourism for this area. It is great to see the momentum being maintained, with work already starting to make 2022 just as spectacular. We are all looking forward to welcoming the riders and the teams back here next year, and I feel sure they will also be looking forward to making a return.”
Isle of Wight Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, Member for regeneration and tourism, said;“This is a great opportunity to showcase the Island and everything we have to offer on live national and international TV through the power of sport. The Isle of Wight is well known for its sailing heritage and it’s also a brilliant place to ride a bike thanks to the unique and distinctive coastline and scenery. As well as providing a welcome boost to the local economy, the Tour of Britain is a fantastic sports event that inspires more people to get out on their own bikes, which is great for everyone’s health and wellbeing. We will be working closely with the Tour organisers and other partners over the coming months to prepare for the event.”
Nottinghamshire will also host a midweek stage of the race as the AJ Bell Tour of Britain returns to the county for the first time since 2018. More details of the 2022 event will be announced in the coming weeks ahead of the launch of the route in spring next year.
Commenting on the news, Mick Bennett, Race Director of organisers SweetSpot said; “This year’s race will live long in the memory but work is already well underway on the 2022 Tour. With the overall start in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and our first ever Isle of Wight stage to conclude the race it will be another memorable edition of the AJ Bell Tour of Britain.”
British Cycling’s Head of Sport and Major Events, Jonathan Day, said: “This year’s AJ Bell Tour of Britain will be fondly remembered for many years to come, with its fantastic route, buoyant crowds and a nail-biting GC battle showing off the very best of our sport.
“We’re incredibly excited to work alongside the team at SweetSpot to make the 2022 race even better still, taking it to more of Britain’s communities, supporting our ambition to lead the sport and inspiring the next generation.”
You can watch a recap of the 2021 AJ Bell Tour of Britain, won by Wout van Aert, here.
