As the Excitement is building towards stage three of the 2019 OVO Energy Tour of Britain which visits the North East come Monday, 11th September, here are the points to pick a stand.

The Riders will start from the centre of Berwick-upon-Tweed, crossing the Grade I listed Berwick Bridge, before heading west along the Tweed Valley and onto Ford and Wooler.

The cyclists will then turn back towards the coast, including past Bamburgh, Alnwick and Warkworth castles, showcasing the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty through the worldwide television coverage.

After passing through Whitley Bay, Tynemouth, North Shields and Wallsend, the final kilometres will see the race heading alongside the banks of the River Tyne on the Quayside, before turning on to Grey Street for a spectacular uphill city centre finish.

On Sunday 8th September, from 2pm members of the public will be able to watch live action of the end of the Stage 2 race which finishes in Kelso, on a big screen situated on the Parade Car Park. There will also be a number of fun cycling activities on the Parade Car Park while just across the road the last day of the Berwick Food & Beer Festival will be running in the Barracks.

So, here –

1. Berwick-upon-Tweed
A range of fun activities are being laid on in Berwick to celebrate the arrival of the prestigious OVO Energy Tour of Britain cycle race in the town.

Berwick is hosting the start of Stage 3 of the Tour on Monday 9th September which will see the world’s top riders set off from the Town Hall in Marygate at 11am.

Led by an advance party of school children from eight local schools, the cyclists will head down Hide Hill, along Bridge Street and across the Old Bridge before the race will start in full on the outskirts of the town.

Spectators will be able to soak up the atmosphere of this major sporting event from early morning as the team buses arrive on Walkergate.

There will also be a special market on the Quayside running throughout the day.

For cycling fans, a secure cycle storage facility is being provided in Church Street in the old ATS building. Extra parking is being provided at Shielfield Park with a shuttle to bring people into town.

2. Ford
The day’s first King of the Mountains contest is at Ford Common. Riders are expected to tackle the climb around 11.43am, having passed through Etal and Ford village on the way. The Tour of Britain previously visited Ford in 2015.

3. Weetwood Bank, near Wooler
Riders will pass through Wooler before tackling heading east on their way back towards the coast, tackling Weetwood Bank on the way. They are expected arrive around 12:07pm in what will be the second King of the Mountains contest of the day.

4. Lyham Hill, Belford
Lyham Hill, on the B6349 west of Belford, will be the third King of the Mountains contest on Stage 3 of the Tour of Britain. Riders are scheduled to reach here at 12.27pm.

5. Bamburgh
The Tour of Britain last visited Bamburgh in 2017 and riders will once more pass the majestic castle as they head south towards Seahouses. They are expected to arrive around 12.40pm. Picture by Claire Thorburn.

6. Seahouses
The first sprint of Stage 3 will be fought out on the approach to Seahouses, with the finish line at the end of St Aidan’s. Riders are expected around 12.47pm.

7. Narrowgate, Alnwick
The Tour of Britain cycle race will pass through Alnwick town centre around 1.29pm. The route into town will be up The Peth, along Narrowgate and Bondgate Within, then though The Hotspur Tower, leaving the town down Alnmouth Road on the way to Warkworth. Picture by Lynda Davie.

8. Warkworth
The second Eisberg sprint takes place in Warkworth with riders expected to arrive around 1.46pm. The Tour of Britain also visited Warkworth in 2017.

9. Morpeth
Morpeth will welcome back the Tour of Britain for the first time since 2017 when large crowds turned out to watch riders dashing through the town centre. They are scheduled to arrive at 2.20pm.

10. Seaton Delaval.
The third and final Eisberg intermediate sprint of the day takes place at the 96.5 mile mark in Seaton Deleval, which also hosted the race in 2017. The cyclists are scheduled to arrive at around 2.55pm.

11. Tynemouth
Stage 3 of the Tour of Britain is expected to arrive in North Tyneside around 3pm. Riders will pass through Whitley Bay and cycle along the coast to Tynemouth where they are scheduled to arrive around 3.09pm.

12. Newcastle quayside
The riders will be gearing up for the finish line as they head west along Newcastle’s iconic quayside and there are sure to be large crowds there to watch them. The riders are scheduled to be there around 3.23pm.

13. Newcastle Theatre Royal and Grey Street sweeping down to The Quayside
The 113.9 mile race will reach its climax on Newcastle’s handsome Grey Street around 3.35pm.

Northumberland Gazette