CUMBRIA will once again host a stage of the UK's elite road cycling event the Tour of Britain.

The announcement the race will return to the county in 2021 gave a much needed boost to community leader across the county.

The Mail:

The Tour of Britain was forced to rescheduled this year's event for September 5 to 12, 2021, starting with the first stage in Cornwall, and the last in Scotland.

The date and route of the Cumbrian stage has yet to be announced but Peter Hodges, the tour’s PR and marketing director, confirmed the county would again host one of the eight stages.

Cllr Bill McEwan, who was the Barrow mayor when the Tour of Britain came to Furness in 2018, said he has his fingers crossed they come back to Barrow once again.

“This is fantastic news as it was a great event when they started one of the stages in Barrow back in 2018,” he said.

The Mail:

“I would welcome it back again in a heartbeat.

“Hopefully, if the event does come to our end, it will serve the town well.

“Come next September, hopefully the coronavirus issue will have quietened down and this could bring a real cheer.

“It is fantastic news and it would be brilliant for Barrow if we get it here, so fingers crossed for that. I will be 100 per cent behind it”

The Mail:

Cllr Dave Webster, who was Ulverston mayor when the event came to south Cumbria in 2018, said: “That is really positive news as it was excellent last time it came through here.

“It brought along a lot of interest and tourism to the town last time around.

“I was a fantastic event and it brought a lot of people to the area.

“I believe it gave the tourism sector a real boost and if it were to come again that would be just what we need in the area.”

Councillor Keith Little, the county council member for highways and transport, said: “I’m delighted to be able to work with the Tihe Tour of Briitain team and offer Cumbria as a stage venue.

“It brings in a lot of tourism but is good for the health of the community because many take up cycling after watching the sport.

“It is very welcome news after the dreadful year we had with the coronavirus.”

Hugh Roberts, chief executive for race organisers, SweetSpot said: “The confirmation of the calendars for 2021 is another step forward towards the successful return of The Women’s Tour and Tour of Britain next summer.

“We are working hard behind the scenes with our stakeholders on these events, and The Tour Series, to ensure they don’t just return, but come back better and stronger than ever before, and are well placed to help showcase all that is great about cycling and Britain.”

Cumbria will feature in a stage from three to seven. Stages one and two have already been earmarked as Penzance to Bodmin and Sherford to Exeter. While the final stage has been announced as Stonehaven to Aberdeen.